HOLOTHURIA. 23 



firmly ri vetted to solid substances. The skin between the rows is smooth, 

 but of quite a different character from that on the neck, the disc, or near 

 the tentacula. That different character of the different parts is very 

 conspicuous. 



About 100 suckers occupy the length of a row in such a specimen 

 as represented. The five divisions may be called, for distinction, stripes 

 or belts of suckers. In some specimens, five, six, or seven suckers occupy 

 the broadest part of the belt, the number decreasing towards the extre- 

 mities. The breadth of the stripe or belt, and the number of the suckers, 

 depend on the size and age of the subject. Small specimens have only a 

 double row of suckers in the stripe or belt ; nor are all the five complete. 

 In one extending above thirty lines, including the head or anterior por- 

 tion, they stood single or somewhat zig-zag in a row. — Plate II. fig. 2. 

 Thus they augment with age ; and in large specimens some appear 

 straggling over the body. 



The usual aspect of the Holothurin pentnctcs is represented, Plate I., 

 when in a state of quiescent security. When absolutely inactive, it re- 

 sembles Plate II. fig. 1 , reduced from the origmal, which extended twelve 

 inches by four. This I concluded a full-grown subject. But I cannot 

 define the largest dimensions attained, — certainly not under two feet, 

 with the tentacula dis2:)layed ; the body three inches thick or more. 



The observer is always liable to delusion, however, in this respect, 

 owing to the animal's susceptibility of change and extraordinary disten- 

 sion. Some time after the specimen, Plate I., was taken, it resembled the 

 figure and dimensions of the heart of an ox, while floating ; next it ex- 

 tended a foot long by four inches m diameter, and ultimately subsided to 

 the permanent shape and size wherem it is represented. 



WTien the animals are detached, they generally float as long o voids, 

 being then turgid with water. One in that condition w^eighed four 

 pounds, whereof the body might be one and a half, and water the re- 

 mainder. But, the dimensions seem very much affected by circum- 

 stances, such as freedom, fixture, health, or disease, and perhaps also 

 by the temperature of the atmosphere. 



The suckers can be wholly retracted and sunk in the flesh. The 



