136 Transactions. 



Velella cyanea Lesson. 



Lesson, Voy. de " Coquille," vol. 2, pt. 2, chap. 15. p. 54 : Zoophytes, 

 pi. 6, figs. 3, 4. Haeckel, " Challenger " Reports. 28, p. 83. 



This common Pacific species was cast ashore on Denham Bay. 



„ . ,, Class Scyphozoa. 



% Atolla sp. 



A single somewhat torn and distorted specimen, measuring 3Umai. 

 in diameter, with a height of 15 mm. in the centre of the umbrella, was 

 found on the shore of Sunday Island. It was so much injured that I am 

 not quite sure even of the genus ; but it agrees in so many features with 

 Atoll a that I have but little hesitation in placing it here. I will not. how- 

 ever, attempt to give a specific name to it. 



ClaSS HOLOTHUROIDEA. 



Actinopyga (Muelleria) parvula Selenka. 



M. flavo-castanea Theel : Selenka, Zeit. Wiss. Zool., 17, 1867. " Chal- 

 lenger " Reports, Holotkuroidea, pt. 2, p. 198, 1886. 



Fifteen specimens were sent to me. Oliver notes that the " colour 

 is dark brown to nearly black : common at Coral Bay, under stones near 

 low-water mark ; not seen elsewhere." In alcohol it is chocolate-brown 

 with a purplish hue. The majority are uniformly coloured, darker dorsally 

 and only slightly paler ventrally ; but in four individuals there is an 

 abrupt transverse line separating the dark anterior region from a posterior 

 paler region. In one specimen the change occurs at about -f of its length 

 from the anterior end, in two others at §, and in one at a of the length. 

 From the condition of the ventral ambulacra it appears that this hinder 

 end has been regenerated, for here the podia are in distinct narrow lints, 

 whereas in the normal darker part of the body these organs spread out 

 into the interambulacra, where there are about 15 in a transverse, line, 

 instead of only 2 to each ambulacrum. There is, too, a transition observable 

 as the ambulacra are traced forwards, indicating a gradual resumption of 

 the adult condition. 



Distribution.- — Bedford, in his report on the Funafuti Holothurians, 

 speaks of this species as " the most widely distributed circumtropical 

 species of the genus." 



Chirodota rigida Semper. 



Semper, Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen, Holothurien, p. 18, 

 pi. 3, fig. 3; pi. 5, figs. 3, 13, 1868. Lyman Clark, "The 

 Apodous Holothurians," p. 117, 1907. 



The wheels differ from those figured, in that there .is a distinct con- 

 striction of the radii at their junction with the rim ; but, as my specimens 

 agree in the general characters of the species, I have little doubt that this 

 is the correct determination. Oliver states that the " general colour is 

 reddish-purple ; it occurs in sand and mud under stones in rock-pools 

 and at low-water mark. It is not common." 



Log. — Meyer Island. 



Distribution. — Clark says it is " apparently well distributed through 

 the entire East Indian region." 



