REPORT ON THE HOLOTHURIOIDEA. 103 



the top ; those spicula are sometimes spinose, sometimes almost smooth, and attain a 

 length of about 0'44 mm. The pedicels of the odd ambulacrum are strengthened by more 

 curved and transversely directed spicula. No other forms of deposit have been observed. 



The calcareous ring consists of a fragde network, without any distinct radial and 

 interradial pieces. The madreporic canal does not communicate with the exterior, but 

 terminates in a large, almost globular, madreporic plate or tubercle, made up of a strong 

 network, and which is intimately attached to the inside of the perisoma close to the 

 reproductive pore. The walls of the madreporic canal are supported by rather straight 

 and spinose spicula. The reproductive organ is composed of two smaller fascicles 35 mm. 

 long, each made up of small bundles of dichotomous, elongated, minute cseca ; the organ 

 opens 20 to 30 mm. behind the anterior extremity of the body. 



The specimens obtained at Station 184 are very macerated and in such an incomplete 

 state as to render examination impossible. In one example I thought I could distinguish 

 some small dorsal processes anteriorly, and in another specimen there were only nineteen 

 tentacles to be found. The four individuals dredged at Station 271 do not quite agree 

 with the typical forms ; their body is of a sea-green colour, which inclines to red on the 

 ventral surface ; the inside of the body- wall is, on the contrary, of a dark reddish violet ; 

 the shape of their body is broader and considerably higher than in the typical forms ; 

 all deposits are destroyed. 



Benthodytes typica, n. sp. (PI. XXVII. fig. 7). 



Body more or less depressed, oval, from once and a half to twice as long as broad; its 

 brim very broad. Tentacles twenty, retractile ; some of them being slightly smaller than 

 the others ; their ddated terminal part provided with small retractde processes round its 

 edge. Each of the dorsal ambulacra with a few, about eight, very minute, completely 

 retractile processes. Integument rather thick, soft, and transparent, with scattered, more 

 or less curved, unbranched, and spinose calcareous spicula. 



Colour in alcohol light bluish, the ventral surface blood-red or purple; the five 

 yellow muscular bands, the deep red ambulacra! vessels, and the purple circular muscular 

 layer are conspicuous through the integument ; the canals, which belong to the minute 

 pedicels situated round the brim, present the aspect of deep reddish bands which radiate 

 towards the circumference of the body ; the ends of the tentacles are yellowish-brown. 

 Length, about 80 mm. Breadth, about 45 mm. 



Habitat.— Station V. January 28, 1873. Lat. 35° 47' N, long. 8° 23' W. Depth, 

 1090 fathoms; bottom temperature, 31° C. ; mud. Numerous more or less macerated 

 individuals. 



The body is of an oval form decreasing evenly towards each of its rounded extremities. 

 As will be seen from the above measurements, its greatest breadth almost approaches 

 half of its length, but from the drawings which have been taken of fresh animals 



