PENTACTA. 



99 



the sole is tough and leathery in texture, but free from the 

 limestone pavement described above. The young (Figs. 128, 

 129) are very common, swimming freely about, and more 

 readily found than the adult ; they are of a bright vermilion 

 color, but the tentacles hardly branch at that age, nor is the 

 limestone pavement formed, which gives such a peculiar aspect 



Fig. 129. 



Fig. 128. 



to the full-grown animal. The young Cuvieria, somewhat older 

 than that represented in Fig. 129, are found in plenty under 

 stones at low-water mark, just after they have given up their 

 nomadic habits, and when the limestone pavement begins to be 

 developed. 



Pentacta. (Pentacta frondosa JAG.) 



The highest of our Holothurians in structure, is the Pentacta. 

 (Fig. 130.) It is very rare on our beaches, though occasionally 

 found under stones at low-water mark ; farther north, in Maine, 

 and at Grand Manan, it is very common, covering all the rocks 

 near low-water mark. It is a chocolate brown in color, and 



Fig. 128. Young Cuvieria, much enlarged ; I body, g tentacles. 



Fig. 129. Somewhat older Cuvieria ; I body, g tentacle round mouth, g 1 tentacle of sole, b madre- 

 poric tentacle. 



