390 



ECHIN0DERM8 OF THE BRITISH ISLES 



(lonnal layers numerous stcir-shaped bodies and coarser spinous 

 rods of various shapes and sizes. No C-shapcd spicules. Colour 

 in life a magnificent red on the dorsal side, sometimes all over the 

 body, but more usually the ventral side is whitish. Small black 

 spots in variable numbers scattered in the red. On preservation 

 in alcohol the red colour disappears completely. Grows to 

 a considerable size, up to ca. 50 cm. length, and is, next 

 Cucumaria frondosa, the largest of the British and North Atlantic 

 Holothurians. 



Development unknown ; the very small eggs, however, 



Fig. 231. — Calcareous deposits of Stichopits treimdus. x 200. 



(From Damnark's Fauna.) 



1-3. Tables, from above and in side view. 4-6. Spinous rods. 7. Star-sliaped body. 



would tend to indicate that it may have a pelagic larva. It is 

 very apt to eviscerate on capture. Various parasites occur in 

 this species, namely, besides the very remarkable worm-shaped 

 Gastropod Enteroxenos Oestergreni Bonnevie, several species of 

 Planarians, living partly in the intestine, partly in the body 

 cavity. 



In British seas this species is abundant and widely distributed 

 off the west coast of Ireland (usually found together with 

 Spatangus Raschi), in depths of ca. 140-1280 m. ; also known 

 from the Rockall and the Lousy Banks. It is elsewhere distri- 

 buted from Finmark to Skagerrack in Scandinavian seas, and to 

 the Bay of Biscay and the Canaries. Bathymetrical distribution 

 ca. 20-1900 m. 



