114 K. MITSUKüßl : STUDIES ON 



emplare (besides the above mentioned) dunkel brannroth " 

 (Selenka 1867, p. 319). 



RcmarlxS : — This is one of the commonest species of holothu- 

 rians on the coasts of Japan. It is abundant in Misaki. Some 

 specimens examined by me came also from Kyüshü and from the 

 Island of Iki, in the Japan Sea. The Japanese name is " Fuji- 

 namako " or " Oki-namako." 



It will be seen from the list of synonyms given above that 

 I identify //. decorata Marenzellek and //. minax Theel with this 

 species. As Enoshima, where the original specimens of Maren- 

 zellek were secured, is in the Bay of Sagami with Misaki in 

 sight, I have no doubt that tlie specimens which I here 

 identify as //. monacaria belong to the same species as 

 those on which II. decorata of Maeenzeller was established. 

 That writer himself has pointed out the similarity of the two 

 species, but established the new species solely on account of the 

 difference in coloration and habitat. .Vs at the present day 

 specimens which have been identified with decorata by competent 

 authorities are known from different localities, and their similarity 

 to //. monacaria noted (Ludwig, Theel, Bedford), and especially 

 since the similarity of coloration in the two species has been 

 pointed out by Bedford (1899«), the points on which Marenzeller 

 established his species disappear. It seems Marenzeller had 

 only young specimens, for he gives 1 cm. as the size, whereas 

 individuals over 50 cm. long are common in Misaki. As to H. 

 minax of Theel, I see no reason whatever for separating it from 

 H. decorata or from //. monacaria. The only point of any 

 importance is that the tables in H. minax have only one transverse 

 beam, while in H. decorata some of the tables have a larger spire 

 and as many as three beams. When, however, we remember 



