358 C. FORSTEE COOPER. 



5. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE MALDIVAN CEPHALOCHORDA. 



1. Asymmetron lucayanum. 



In the Atoll of Minikoi, which was very thoroughly searched by Mr Gardiner between 

 the months of June and September, many specimens of this form were obtained. Their 

 distribution in the atoll proved to be very local, and although many places at first sight 

 seemed to be suitable they were restricted to practically one spot — viz. the Neru-Magu 

 channel {vide Chart, Part I. page 28 of the present work), on the N.W. side of the atoll, 

 which runs in across the sand-flat with a depth of about 2 fathoms. The sides of the 

 channel were of sand and rather steep. The bottom was found to be of rock covered with 

 a few inches of sand and studded with small growths of corals. It was in the shallow sand 

 at the bottom of the channel that the specimens were found. 



Very careful search in the sand at the S.W. part of Minikoi lagoon, which is covered 

 by shallow water, revealed only one specimen, and none were found in any other part of the 

 lagoon, except close to the channels from the sea. A few specimens were kept alive for several 

 days in a basin covered with fine silk gauze and sunk in the lagoon. Their dislike to 

 strong light, recorded by Andrews', was observed, and Mr Stanley Gardiner also informs me 

 that they were never seen to lie on their sides on the surface of the sand as the European 

 species commonly does. 



The distribution in the Maldives is also local and peculiar, specimens often being found 

 in small numbers at unexpected depths and places. A list of the localities and depths is 

 here given. 



(1) Suvadiva Atoll. 



Two specimens were obtained from a hard bottom consisting of rough stony rubble 

 with masses of weed and calcareous algae. 29 — 30 /. (fathoms). 



(2) Mahlosmadulu Atoll. 



A few specimens from coarse sand mixed with a little rubble, about 20 /., near Turadu 

 and Duravandu Islands : in the velu (lagoon) of the island of Berriamfuri several were secured 

 off the sandy bottom, 3 — 4 f. 



(8) Fadifolu Atoll. 



Several were dredged from a bottom consisting of rough corals, weeds and sponges, in 

 the channel to the north of Naifaro, 15 /., and a few also from a hard bottom with weeds 

 and a little sand, 23 /., near the centre of the lagoon. 



(4) Miladumadulu Atoll. 



Two or three came fi-om a large block of Porites which was dredged up, being found 

 in sand which had collected in small quantities in the crevices of the coral, 20 /. Several 

 were taken in the sand of the veins of the islands of Mafaro and Edufaro, 3/. In Furnadu 

 the shallow sand-flat (2 — 3 feet) between the islands of Furnadu and Farukolu, an area swept 

 by strong tidal currents, yielded a number of specimens. 



(5) Male Atoll. 



In the island of Hulule, where a longer stay than usual was made, a large number of 

 specimens were secured and their distribution was carefully studied. Five only were obtained 



' Loc. cit. 



