240 SYXAPT.E. 



refers it to the Holothuria iit/uerens of Midler, with a 

 query ; but it is assuredly distinct from that animal, which 

 is a Cucumaria, nearly allied to our Cucumaria fusiformis. 

 As I have never seen living examples of the CMrodota digi- 

 tata, I think it best to quote in full the description of it 

 given by the eminent and accurate observer who first 

 found it. 



" Body long, cylindric, covered with minute papilla? of 

 a yellowish white colour, marked with small spots of red 

 orange, closely disposed, and in many parts confluent ; 

 posterior end tinged with green ; tentacula twelve, short, 

 dividing at their tips into four obtuse branches of a pale 

 colour ; length, when extended, between three and four 

 inches. 



" This rare species is capable of great contraction, and 

 probably multiplies by natural division, as it separates 

 without violence into an indefinite number of pieces : this 

 is effected by muscular stricture, which forms ligatures 

 and separates portions into globular pieces; sometimes 

 two or three of these ligatures are formed together, and 

 as many separations ensue, provided the exterior one 

 first falls off; otherwise the part separated appears 

 to continue in that moniliform state. This, however, 

 may be a forced action from confinement in a glass of 

 sea-water, and one division at the extremity is the 

 order Nature most likely pursues. It must, however, 

 be admitted that our knowledge with respect to these 

 inhabitants of the deep is extremely limited, since they 

 can only be examined when taken from their natural 

 abode ; the form of these creatures is nearly all we may 

 expect to become acquainted with, for their oeeonomy is 

 concealed from us by that insurmountable barrier which no 

 philosopher can pass. 



