652 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxn. 



HOLOTHURIA PARADOXA Selenka. 

 Plate LXVII, figs. 4, 4a-6, 5; Plate LXIX, fig. 5. 



Holothuria paradoxa Selenka, Beitrjige zur Anatomie u. Systematik der Holo- 

 thurien, Zeitschr. f. Wiss. Zool., XVII, 1867, p. 322, pi. xviii, fig. 41. 



Size large; general form robust, (-iubcy lindrical ; mouth directed 

 ventrally, although retracted within collar; anus stellate, with tire 

 gi'oups of papillse (much expanded in specimen oil account of mass 

 of Cuvierian organs). Tentacles 11), fairly large, but much con- 

 tracted, apparentl}^ surrounded in life by a papillose collar. Ambu- 

 lacral appendages in the form of numerous pedicels; rather more 

 numerous on ventral than on dorsal surface. Pedicels are without 

 order and are fairly evenl}' distributed all over bod}^ with the exception 

 of a narrow band along each radius of the dorsal surface and the mid- 

 ventral; the two lateral radii are not so distinguished. Body wall 

 thick. Color in alcohol, ventral surface greenish yellow; dorsal the 

 same, verging upon raw sienna, but the pedicels and a circle around 

 the base rather dark brown. This gives the dorsal surface a decidedlj^ 

 brownish appearance which renders the two surfaces easily distin- 

 guishable. Deposits: In the dorsal perisome dichotomousl}^ branched 

 rods of small size, forming frequentl}" more or less incomplete 

 rosettes; in the ventral perisome simpler, rather stouter smooth 

 rods, branched at the ends, the branches sometimes uniting and form- 

 ing perforations, occasionall}" in the form of small plates with two or 

 three perforations (see figures); in the walls of pedicels smooth, 

 slightl}' curved supporting rods with branches or processes at the 

 ends are present. Length, in a much contracted state, 250 mm.; 

 width, about 65 mm. 



Locality. — Station 3847, south coast of Molokai Island, 2?) fathoms, 

 sand and stones; 1 specimen. 



Among pedicels of dorsum are somewhat larger conical appendages, 

 with rudimentar}^ terminal plate, which must be regarded as papilla?. 

 They are very much less numerous than the pedicels. As indicated in 

 the diagnosis, there is no bare streak separating the ventral pedicels 

 from the lateral, but the two surfaces simply are continuous. The 

 difference in color and in number of Dedicels serves to indicate the 

 transition. 



Calcareous ring massi\'e and of the usual shape; radial pieces larger 

 than the interradial, but onl}" a trifle broader on the posterior margin. 

 They are 12 mm. long and of about the same width. The interradial 

 pieces are 10 mm. long and 7 mm. wide, and as usual are excavated on 

 the posterior margin. Polian vesicle single. Tentacular ampulhe 

 long. Madreporic canal small, embedded in the dorsal mesentery. 

 Branches of gonad tine, thread-like, and long. Respiratory tree with 



