COLLECTION MADE BY W. SAVILLE KENT. F.L.s , v z.S , KTC. 231 



great extent of the microscopic calcareous shells of the Foraminifera, 

 which occur in the living state in vast quantities on the reefs and 

 in the rock basins inhabited by the Beches-de-raer. These Fora- 

 minifera are thickly scattered over the surface of the various larger 

 objects swallowed by the Holothurite, and evidently constitute their 

 chief food. In the case of other Australian and English species 

 belonging chiefly to the genera Psolus and Ciicumaria, the tentacles 

 have a more finely divided plumose structure, but the modus operandi 

 of feeding is essentially identical. Specimens kept in aquaria have 

 been observed by me creeping up the glass and sweeping off with 

 their tentacles the microscopic organisms, Infusoria and Diatoms, 

 that so speedily accumulate in such situations. In other instances I 

 have observed them, while in an otherwise sedentary condition, 

 continually thrusting out their tentacles into the surrounding water, 

 and alternately retracting them, being evidently occupied at such 

 times in capturing and feeding upon the Protozoa and other micro- 

 scopic organic particles freely suspended in the water. 



On the same reefs and in the same pools frequented by the 

 Bech-de-mer, a species of Synapta was very abundant. The animal 

 has the organisation as a Holothuria, but is of a delicate pink 

 colour and of glass-like transparency. The surface of the skin is 

 also coated with minute anchor-shaped spicules, and bv means of 

 which it clings tenaciously to the fingers when handled. The 

 tentacles are utilised as food purveyors in the same manner as those 

 of the ordinary Beche-de-mer, but are of a different pattern, 

 being flattened and pinnately branched. Among the Echinoder- 

 mata presenting features of interest, observe I in the same locality, 

 may be mentioned a large Brittle Starfish allied to Ophiura 

 scolopendrina. This species abounded, its body being usually con- 

 cealed under the rocks or coral blocks, while the attenuate spinous 

 arms, sometimes as much as eighteen inches long, were thrust out 

 Jn every direction apparently seeking for food. The contents of 

 the stomachs of examples dissected were found to consist lnrgely, 

 as in the case of the Holothuriw, of Foraminifera, mixed however 

 with a very considerable proportion of finely comminuted algaj. 

 Like many of the Echini or Sea Urchins, they are apparently to a 



