82 ECHINODERMATA. 



In another week it extended, as I computed, six inches, following 

 the curves ; and at length the arborescent apparatus was protruded from 

 the anterior extremity in such perfection, as to admit of satisfactory de- 

 lineation. 



Though not quite so luxuriant as that of the Holothuria pentactes, 

 perhaps from the specimen being weaker, considerable resemblance might 

 be traced between them : ten fine tentacula bordered the circular disc, 

 which were composed of a stem rather stout m proportion, together with 

 parts to- be compared to numerous boughs and branches. Of these the 

 subordinate were set around the pi'incipal parts, and such were tufts 

 when imperfectly developed. The disc resembled a shallow saucer, ydth. 

 the mouth expanding m the centre. 



The apparatus crowned the neck of the animal, now protruding 

 along with it, the whole ha\dng been pre^'iously retracted into the cavity. 

 The colour of all the parts was speckled dark-brown or reddish-orange, 

 producing a very agreeable contrast with the sombre hue of the body. 



Evolutions similar to those seen in the Holotliuria fiisus were dis- 

 played by the contraction of the tentacula, their insertion into the mouth, 

 and withdrawal from it. 



But the difficulty of preserving this species is not inferior to the 

 obstructions opposing the safety of any of the others. The suckers lost 

 the power of adhesion, though the arborescence continued in display, 

 and the animal lay chiefly on its side. The body next rupturing under 

 the neck, a bunch of above fifty slender ovarian ropes, about an inch 

 long, protruded, together with a portion of j^eUow intestmes. 



The curving of the tentacula continued spite of their increasing 

 weakness, and the animal died in about three weeks after its original 

 acquisition. The j'ellow neck remained protruded, nor were the tenta- 

 cula entu'ely withdrawn. 



^^^lile this specimen stiU sur\'ived, another of larger dimensions 

 reached me, which did no more than extend shghtly, having suffered 

 some injury previous to its arrival. 



One of the largest specimens occuri'ing was about ibur inches 

 and a half long in its contracted state, and somewhat under two inches 



