176 DR. J. PEARSON ON MARINE FAUNA [Feb. 1, 



Colour. The dorsal surface is brown with a few large dark 

 brown spots. The ventral surface is lighter and each papilla is 

 surrounded by a white patch. All the papilla; are white. 



The anterior end of the body is blunt and the body tapers 

 towards the posterior end. Papillae are present all over the body, 

 those on the dorsal surface being smaller than the ventral ones. 

 The mouth is surrounded by a ring of digitate papilla?. 



The circular muscles of the body- wall are poorly developed. 



There is one Polian vesicle and a long madreporite as described 

 by Theel. The calcareous ring agrees with Theel's description. 



The deposits consist of tables and buttons. 



Diameter of tables 55 - 5 /a. 



Height of spire on tables 37 u. 



Length of buttons 29-5/x,. 



General distribution. Philippines, Amboina, Red Sea, Labuan, 

 Pacific. 



Holothuria atra Jaeger. 



Holothuria atra Jaeger, 1833 (3). 



Holothuria (subgenus Microthele) affiais Brandt, 1835 (6). 



Holothuria flor idana Pourtales, 1851 (8) ; Selenka, 1867 (10). 



Holothuria atra Selenka, 1867 (10). 



Holothuria amboinensis Semper, 1868 (11). 



Holothuria atra Semper, 1868 (11); Theel, 1886 (20); Bell, 

 1886 (19), 1887 (22). 



Holothuria atra, var. amboinensis Theel, 1886 (20). 



Holothuria atra Sluiter, 1887 (24), 1901 (28) ; Ludwig, 1887 

 (23); Pearson, 1903 (29); Koehler & Yaney, 1908 (31). 



One specimen from Station IX. Matemo Is. Length 115 mm. ; 

 breadth 35 mm. 



This species is characterised by having numerous Polian vesicles 

 and madreporic canals. The numbers vary in different individuals. 

 In the specimen under examination there are four Polian vesicles 

 and twelve stone-canals. 



The deposits are typical. 



Width of table 22 fi. Height of spine on table 52 [i. 



Average length of perforated plates 44 - 5 //. 



General distribution. Celebes, Florida, Red Sea and Indian 

 Ocean, East Indies, Pacific Islands. 



Holothuria atra, var. amboinensis Theel. 



Holothuria atra Selenka, 1867 (10). 

 Holothuria amboinensis Semper, 1868 (11). 

 Holothuria atra, var. amboinensis Theel, 1886 (20). 

 Two specimens from Station IX. Matemo Is. 



Length 130 mm. and 125 mm. 



Breadth 30 mm. and 30 mm. 

 Both specimens are black. 

 These specimens resemble Holothuria atra very closely except 



