NO. 2 DEICHMANN: HOLOTHURIOIDEA; PARTII, ASPIDOCHIROTA 307 



Depth: Intertidal. 



Specimens examined: One specimen from Panama, collected by 

 Th. Mortensen (Copenhagen) ; five collected by the Hancock expedi- 

 tions, from five stations. 



Remarks: The Hancock material ranges in length from 4 to 20 

 cm. No striking differences were found between the spicules in these 

 different age groups except that they become slightly larger with advanc- 

 ing age. 



Although the species is fairly large and occurs at tide level, it must 

 undoubtedly be rare. Superficially it resembles an unusually dark 

 colored Brandtothuria impatiens, and it has probably a very similar mode 

 of life. As far as I can judge from the literature, there is no other species 

 which bears the remotest similarity to this form. 



It is a great pleasure to name this unusual form, which occupies a 

 position all by itself, for Dr. Irene McCulloch of the University of 

 Southern California. 



8. Vaneyothuria n. gen. 

 (Holothuria lentiginosa group) 



Diagnosis: Large cylindrical forms with up to 20 ventral tentacles 

 and terminal anus; ventral feet varying in number, not crowded and 

 completely retractile; dorsally papillae and smaller feet, the former 

 often on warts, sometimes forming a conspicuous edge along the sides. 

 Inner anatomy not remarkable; one Polian vesicle, one or more stone 

 canals with short cylindrical head, Cuvierian organs present in all forms. 



Spicules an outer layer of tables with large disk, with smooth to 

 dentate margin; spire of moderate height, ending in a few sharp teeth, 

 mostly with eight lateral ones forming a more or less irregular Maltese 

 cross and also 4 to 6 vertically placed spines. An inner layer of large 

 buttons, often irregular, slightly twisted, incomplete, or with a few 

 warts; with age, smaller, more regular buttons dominate. Buttons ap- 

 parently lacking completely in one local form {Vaneyothuria zacae 

 forma azacae). Ventral feet with end plate and long supporting rods or 

 plates, often as narrow buttons, more or less irregular; dorsal append- 

 ages with small end plate or none, and rods or plates, often curved. 



Color variable, paler on the ventrum, darker dorsally, gray or 

 brownish, rarely almost white, sometimes with two rows of darker spots 

 dorsally; usually all the appendages, ventrally as well as dorsally, with 

 dark tips and a paler area around the base, not very noticeable on a pale 

 ground color. 



