202 CEYLON PEAEL OYSTER REPORT. 



These specimens also agree with the descriptions of H. vitiensis, H. kcellikeri, and 

 II. clemens, and it is very probable, as Theet, suggests, that they all belong to one 

 and the same species, which is susceptible of great variation. 



Distribution : Indo-Pacific region. 



Holothuria marmorata (Jager). 



Boliadschia marmorata, Jager, 1833. See also Theel (7). 



One specimen from the lagoon inside the Reef, Galle. The species was also, 

 Professor Herdman's notes show, found at Trincomalee. Length, 240 millims. 



Colour in alcohol. The ventral surface is a dark brown with a violet tinge. The 

 dorsal surface is lighter, especially at the posterior end. The colour on the dorsal 

 surface is not uniform, but there is not the striped appearance that is typical of the 

 species. 



The pedicels are scattered all over the body, the skin being considerably darker at 

 the base of each pedicel. 



The anus is pentagonal and is surrounded by five groups of papilla?, each group 

 consisting of five papillae. 



The deposits are typical. 



This specimen is very similar in most respects to II. tenuissima. It differs slightly 

 from the latter in the nature of the deposits, the spicules not dichotomising to such 

 an extent but having rather the appearance of perforated granules. The papillae 

 around the anus also are more prominent than in H. tenuissima. Nevertheless, in 

 spite of these differences, it is highly probable, as Thkel suggests, that II. marmorata, 

 II. tenuissima, together with other allied forms are only, at the most, varieties of the 

 one species. 



Distribution : Indo-Pacific region generally. 



Holothuria atra, Jager. 



H. (subgenus Microthele) affinis, Brandt, 1835. See also Theel (7). 



There are seven specimens, most of them being very much contracted. This 

 species was found at various localities round Ceylon in the Gulf of Manaar, at 

 Trincomalee, and at Galle. 



The colour in alcohol is dark brown on the dorsal surface and lighter on the ventral. 

 Professor Herdman's notes state that at least some of the specimens when alive were 

 quite black above, but of a pink colour below. 



The dorsal papillae are smaller than the ventral pedicels. 



The deposits are typical. The discs of the tables are smooth and have no 

 peripl i eral perforations. 



The gonads are absent in all specimens. Cuvierian organs also are not present in 



