296 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 11 



Lessonothuria pardalis (Selenka) 

 PI. 2, figs. 1-17 



Holothuria pardalis Selenka, 1867, p. 336, pi. 19, fig. 85. Fisher, 1907, 

 p. 664, pi. 69, figs. 1, la-g. Panning, 1935, V, p. 3, fig. 106, 

 complete list of references. Cherbonnier, 1951, p. 31, pi. 9, figs. 

 17-18; pi. 10, figs. 13-19; pi. 11, figs. 1-11. 

 Holothuria pardalis var. cebuensis Domantay, 1933, p. 70, pi. 3, fig. 4. 

 Panning, 1935, V, p. 4. 



Diagnosis: As for the genus. Extremely variable in color, as well 

 as in the shape of the spicules. In some individuals the inner layer of 

 buttons almost entirely composed of regular six-holed buttons, in others 

 almost all deformed, twisted, incomplete or with a few knobs on the 

 surface. 



Type: Possibly in Germany. 



Type locality: Hawaii. 



Distribution: Almost circumtropical, though lacking in the Atlan- 

 tic Ocean, including the West Indies. Common in Hawaii and extend- 

 ing into the Panamic region, though, judging from the Hancock ma- 

 terial, not well established there. 



Depth: From tidemark down to a few fathoms. In Hawaii, the 

 Stranger collected it at 12 to 20 fathoms. 



Specimens examined: Several in various collections. The following 

 specimens from the Hancock expeditions: four recorded from the Gala- 

 pagos Islands; one from Gorgona, Colombia; one from Cocos Island; 

 two from the Secas Islands, Panama; and one from Tenacatita, Mex- 

 ico. So far it has not been taken in the sheltered waters of the Gulf of 

 California, which may indicate that it is not a permanent element of 

 the fauna. 



Remarks: Fisher observed that it usually occurs under rocks at 

 low tide. 



5. Mertensiothuria n. gen. 

 (Holothuria leucospilota group) 



Diagnosis: Large smooth-skinned forms with large tentacles, ter- 

 minal or subventral, with cylindrical ventral feet and small papillae on 

 the dorsum. Inner anatomy not remarkable; Cuvierian organs present. 



Outer layer of tables poorly developed, at least in the adult, with 

 disk often reduced to plate with four large central holes and in addition 



