HOLOTHURIA. 21 



the surface has uniformly proved fatal ; and besides these accidents^ which 

 are incidental to the race, the larger Holothurite not only lose their in- 

 testinal organs, but almost always rupture their bodies when withdrawn 

 from the sea to an artificial dwelling. 



Authors have generally confined their observations to the anatomy 

 of the Holotlmria exclusively, wherein some accomphshed naturalists 

 have gratified the curious. But very few have adventured on an accu- 

 rate description of its external form ; nor have I heard of any one at- 

 tempting to illustrate its habits. Certainly the subject is difficult, for the 

 most distinguished foreign naturalists, even without the impediment of 

 scarcity, complain of the extreme embarassment to which they were ex- 

 posed in their progress ; and the figures devoted to the anatomical struc- 

 ture are actually often unintelhgible. 



We must, therefore, very highly prize whatever occasions admit of 

 any accessions or elucidations of the history hitherto so obscure of this 

 extraordinary creature. 



The first step to be adopted here alike for the purpose of ascer- 

 taining the nature of the animal, and to enlist the services of other ob- 

 servers, is to fix its form in recollection by accurate delineation. 



§ 1. HoLOTHURiA Peot'ACTES. — Fivc Ribbed Sea Cucumber — Sea 

 Puddinff.—Fij^TES I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII. 



The Holothurite are so unlike each other, it is impossible to compre- 

 hend any number of species under a general definition. If any were de- 

 vised it would be very defective, each special definition being scarcely 

 appUcable to another species than that from whence it is derived. 

 Authors have been induced to attempt constituting several genera, but 

 most unsuccessfully ; and their labours in fact resolve into the enumera- 

 tion of species. 



The exterior mtegument of the Ilolothuria, with the tough coriaceous 

 inner layers, constitutes a capacious bag, wherein are contained the respi- 

 ratory, the intestinal organs, and the ovarium. The head is also re- 

 tracted within it when at rest ; but in action it protrudes, unfolding a fine 



