t 



.J 



. 37 



end of June, whereby we shall attain more intimate acquaintance witli 

 tin- trin- i-xt-rnul structure of tin's singular being, which, concealing the 

 mo-t interesting features of its organization, has hitherto appeared only 

 in liisguise. 



In tin- natural sound ami h-altliy <-niiilitin. Mich a specimen as the 

 preceding adhere) in the form of a crescent to any solid MiK-iaiuc. tin- 

 body extending about three inches and a half. The anterior extremity 

 is quite obtuse. ami tin- posterior tapers almost to a point, while Imth 

 are somewhat raised above tin- eentrr nf the animal, whether it be 

 aflixed to the side or the bottom of the vend. When vigorous, the 

 Ilolnthuria is always a crescent, ami always in adhesion. 



Tliis peculiar figure must be held a leading characteristic of many 

 species of Holothuriaj, and has been evidently assigned to it by the Au- 

 thor of the animal world, for the facility <>f discharging certain essential 

 functions. But the rarity of perfect specimens, and the ditliculty of 

 preserving them in vigour, have undoubtedly precluded the notice of 

 naturalists to so definite a feature. Sometimes the curvature equals a 

 home-shoe, therefore exceeding the proportions of a crescent . 



For the most part, absolute quiescence prevails through the day. 

 How strange it is, that this and so many other tenants of the deep, should 

 thus seem to slumber, that we might almost aftirm the sun had not been 

 created for a great multitude of the living world, as if light were unim- 

 portant to life ? But as he sinks beneath the horizon, the anterior of the 

 quiescent Holothuria swelling into still greater convexity, at length 

 opens to protrude a beautiful complex apparatus, as a substitute adapted 

 for the head and the hands of other creatures standing higher in tlie ani- 

 mal scale. Eight luxuriant, arborescent tentacular organs, each as long 

 as the whole body, besides two antennulse of smaller dimensions, are un- 

 folded in the form of a funnel stretching beyond the shoulder. AH 

 these organs radiate from the circumference of a short osseous and carti- 

 laginous cylinder or case, with an orifice denoting the month in the 

 centre. The whole apparatus, released from concealment. i> externally 

 expanded and withdrawn at will. Plates IX., X. 



n, after display of this complex apparatus, the tentacula, ex- 



