HOLOTHURIA. 31 



It is difficult to account for such ruptures where the integuments 

 are so strong. The cuticle of certain species is very thin, generally gray 

 or dark. But the substance next it, white, is so very hard and tough 

 that an edged instrument can hardly pierce it, for it equals the consis- 

 tence of leather. The cartilaginous parts are also extremely tough and 

 strong. 



Perhaps the ruptures are consequent on violence, seen or unseen, 

 suffered by the subject. It is difficult to admit that such an incident 

 could take place without violence. Mr Adams, a skilful naturalist, who 

 lately accompanied Sir Edward Belcher durmg his interesting voyage in 

 the Eastern seas, and promises to throw much Hght on the history of the 

 lower animals, speaks of " a Holothuria with a soft, brown, tesselated 

 integument, which on being touched — suddenly ejects the entire contents 

 of its sacciform body, including the whole of the viscera and appendages — 

 shrivels up, and immediately dies.'"-' 



The period, the occurrence, and the degree of such ruptures in con- 

 finement are uncertain. After preservation of the specimen Plate I. for 

 about a month or Uttle more, prolapse commenced of the intestinal 

 organs, — an invariable prognostic of death. The water became turbid, 

 while the specimen weakened, and the tentacula swept with feeble in- 

 curvature towards the mouth. Its adhesive faculty was gradually im- 

 paired, and having been entirely lost, it died after about six weeks cap- 

 tivity. 



As rupture of the body is a common concomitant on confinement, 

 prolapse of the intestinal organs is ahke frequent ; and from this acci- 

 dental mjury, the Holothuria usually perishes. K otherwise, it dwindles 

 down to small dimensions, and seems to die from mere inanition. 

 The contracted body always bears Httle proportion to the size of the 

 healthy Uving ainmal ; and after death, the tentacula often remain par- 

 tially expanded. But the reverse is also frequent. The disparities are 

 striking. A specimen extending, perhaps eighteen inches while in vigo- 

 rous life, will Ue in a saucer five or six inches wide when dead. 



It is affirmed that the Holothuria pentactes Uves naturally among 

 * Adams' Notes of Belcher's Voyage of H. M. S. Samarang, vol. ii. p. 495. 



