THE APODOUS HOLOTHUEIANS 85 



pecialiarity without systematic importance. Accordingly, as Ludwig ('88) hints, 

 we must consider striata as identical with recta, the difference between the 

 anchors and plates of the two, to which Sluiter ('88) refers, being altogether 

 too slight to carry any" weight. Furthermore, I cannot consider alhopunctata 

 Sluiter ( :01) as other than recta with unusually abundant miliary granules, 

 although it may ultimately prove a valid species. Vaney's ( :05) variety in- 

 curvata is hardly entitled to recognition. It is most interesting, as showing 

 that 15 is probably the normal number of tentacles in the adult, as all of his 

 specimens had 15, and were larger than those reported by Pearson ( :03) from 

 Ceylon. The slight peculiarity in the anchors described by Vaney is probably 

 not constant, or it may have been overlooked by other observers. Nothing- 

 whatever is recorded as to the habits of recta. Semper reports it from water 

 11-15 m. deep and Sluiter ( :01) from 27-54; Bell ('86), Koehler ('95), and 

 Bedford ('99rt) give no information whatever regarding anatomy, habits, or 

 habitat. 



Synaptula vikgata. ' 



Chondrodcca virgata Sluiter, 1901, p. 128; pi. i, fig. 5. 

 Chondroclcca aspera Sluiter, 1901, p. 128. 



Length. — 200 mm. 



Color. — Brown violet, with longitudinal white stripes due to the very 

 numerous miliary granules. 



Distribution. — Reported only from Salawatti and Gebe, D. E. I. (Slui- 

 ter). 



Remarks. — Although it is by no means certain that this species is distinct 

 from the preceding, it may be provisionally accepted; but there does not ap- 

 pear to be any reason for regarding aspera Sluiter as other than a young 

 virgata, in which the miliary granules are entirely, and the anchors and plates 

 l)artially, dissolved by some acid preserving fluid; the difference in length of 

 anchors is not great enough to carry any weight, and the difference in number 

 of digits (if difference there be) is doubtless due to difference in age. 



Synaptula lactea. 



Synapta lactea Sluiter, 1888, p. 216. 

 Chondroclcea lactea dstergren, 1898&. 



Length. — Not given, but apparently the size is about the same as in the 

 nest species. 



Color. — Milk white, varying to clear rose. 



Distribution. — Reported only from Batavia, Jedan, and Banda, D. E. 1. 

 (Sluiter). 



Remarks. — This appears to be a well-marked species, though it has not yet 

 been met with by any one but Sluiter. He says that its manner of life is the 

 same as that of reticulata, creeping about on living corals in shallow water. 



