Blueprint for the National Domestic Preparedness Office

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...which the hemispherical nodules appear and disappear as if by magic along its whole length. The transparency of the body walls gives a peculiar delicacy that we do not usually associate with the ordinarily unattractive sea cucumbers. Mr. Ricker took a movie of one of these animals in action that will doubtless prove of unusual interest. These creatures belong to the apodous group, being devoid of the ambulacral feet characteristic of most of the more familiar forms. Strangely enough, although footless, it moves with much more freedom and speed than its heavier relatives. It was found commonly in shallow water, often lurking under rocks associated with sea-urchins and serpent stars. Its footless condition is compensated for by the possession of several peculiar features. Doubtless the hemispherical and temporary nodules already referred to give it a hold on the stones between which it worms its way, and its extreme distensibility enables it to go through quite narrow holes and cracks, while the waves of contraction serve to push it rapidly along either on the surface of the sand bottom or over and between rocks. It can also swim to a limited extent and will frequently raise itself on end in the aquaria so as to assume a vertical position with the tentacles exploring the surface while the aboral end rests on the bottom. This creature has a peculiar sticky feel as if covered with an adhesive substance. This is due to the very remarkable and beautiful spicules found in enormous numbers embedded in the body walls. These are of three kinds: --First are the anchors, beautiful representatives of the anchor of a ship, although quite minute, and looking as if made of glass. The general outline is perfect, except that the...