120 THE APODOUS HOLOTHURIANS 



been pointed out, so that the interesting" species " abyssicola must be regarded 

 as identical with Icevis. Sandy, more rarely muddy, bottoms are the favorite 

 resorts of Icevis, but it also occurs sometimes among stones and seaweeds. 



CHIRIDOTA DISCOLOR. 



Chiridota discolor Eschscholtz, 1829, p. 12; pi. x, fig. 2. 

 Liosoma sitchcense Brandt, 1835, p. 58. 



LENGTH. Up to 300 mm., with a diameter of 10-15. 



COLOR. Whitish, yellowish, grayish, reddish, or brownish, the shade de- 

 pending on the abundance or scarcity of red pigment scattered in the skin and 

 the degree of contraction of the body. 



DISTRIBUTION. Reported from Sitka, Alaska (Eschscholtz), and Okhotsk 

 Sea (Grube). For other localities, see antea, p. 27. Apparently common on the 

 northwest coast of America and the northeast coast of Asia. 



REMARKS. There is no doubt that this is a valid species, but its specific 

 and geographical limits have yet to be ascertained. It lives under stones, in 

 loose sand along shore, but also appears to range outward into water 1,000 m. 

 or even more in depth. 



POLYCHEIRA, gen. nov. 

 (7roAvx V os , many handed; in reference to the numerous palmate tentacles.) 



Tentacles 18, exceptionally 17 or 19. Digits 9-16 on each side, the terminal 

 pair the longest. Polian vessels numerous, 6-19. Gustatory organs do not 

 occur. Ciliated funnels collected into stalked clusters. Calcareous deposits 

 similar to those in Chiridota. 



This is a monotypic genus including only the wide-ranging and somewhat 

 variable species to which the following names have been given : 



POLYCHEIRA RTJFESCENS. 

 j PLATE VII, FIGS. 14-18. 



Chirodota rufescens Brandt, 1835, p. 59. 



Chirodota pancunsis Semper, 1868, p. 19. Calcareous particles, pi. v, figs. 1 and 21. 

 Chirodota vitiensis Semper, 1868, p. 19. Calcareous particles, pi. v., figs. 8 and 20. 

 Chirodota varidbilis Semper, 1868, p. 20. Calcareous particles, pi. v, figs. 6, 7, 9- 



11, 19. 



Chirodota dubia Semper, 1868, p. 21. Calcareous particles, pi. v, fig. 4. 

 Chirodota incongrua Semper, 1868, p. 22. Calcareous particles, pi. v, fig. 5. 

 Chirodota refuscens Theel, 1886a, p. 36. 

 Chiridota dubia, incongrua, pancensis, rufescens, vitiensis Ludwig, 1892&. 



LENGTH. 60-100 mm. 



COLOR. Variable, ranging from very dark violet through clear reddish to 

 almost colorless. 



