the apodous holothurians 93 



Leptostnapta roseola. 



Plate V, Figs. 16, 17, 19, 21. 



Leptosynapta roseola Yerrill, 1874a, p. 423. 



Synapta roseola Theel, 1886ffl, p. 25. 



Synapta roseola Clark, 18996, p. 34; pis. 10 and 11. 



Length. — Rarely exceeding 100 mm. 



Color. — Eosy red, sometimes yellowish, sometimes almost brick red. 



Distribution. — Southern coasts of Massachusetts, Ehode Island, and Con- 

 necticut (Verrill) ; Bermuda Islands (Clark). 



Remarks. — Although often found on the Massachusetts coast with in- 

 hcerens, this species seems to be a more southern form and is particularly 

 abundant in Bermuda, where inhcerens seems to be rare. Unlike inharens, it 

 is commonly found under stones, and seems to burrow little in the sand. Be- 

 sides the unique calcareous ring, the small size, slender body, soft thin skin, 

 and few digits (5-9) serve to distinguish roseola, while there are also peculiari- 

 ties in the ciliated funnels, the miliary granules, and the supporting rods of 

 the tentacles. 



Leptosynapta decaria. 

 Synapta decaria Ostergren, 1905a, p. cxLvi. Calcareous particles, fig. I B. 



Length. — 30-50 mm., but diameter only 3. 



Color . — Whitish. 



Distribution. — West coast of Scandinavia (Ostergren). 



Remarks. — In spite of the presence of 2 or 3 polian vessels, it is not im- 

 possible that this is only the young of inhcerens. There is a striking similarity 

 in the calcareous particles and in the tentacles, the ditference in number of 

 digits being simply a matter of age. On the other hand, a comparison of Oster- 

 gren 's description with the remarks on p. 24, referring to fragments of synap- 

 tas from Alaska, suggests the possibility that they are decaria, and that it 

 is a circumpolar species. In view of the very small amount of material avail- 

 able,, however, the matter cannot be fully determined at present. 



Leptosynapta minuta. 

 Synapta minuta Becher, 1906, pp. 505-509, with text-figures. 



Length. — 3-5 mm. 



Color. — Practically wanting. 



Distribution. — Reported only from the North Sea (Becher). 



Remarks. — This curious little synaptid is notable for several reasons, chief 

 among which is its being viviparous. The anchors and plates show some 

 peculiarities and "buttons" are said to be also present. 



