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28 LOED HOWE ISLAND.
occur Pinna (sp. nov. ?), Lucina interrupta. Lamk., Cardium unedo, Linn.,
and 3Iesodesma glahrata, Lamk., all, with the exception of the last, very
common. Large numbers are cast upon the beach, but they may be obtained
wherever the sand has a slight admixture of argillaceous matter, as at the
north end of the Lagoon, off the Old Settlement. Gardium nnedo, the
" Strawberry cockle," exhibits endless varieties in its colouring. Some are
almost colourless, others with a few of the strawberry seeds on the anterior
sides ;
others yellow tinted towards the ventral margins, or even a delicate
red tint ; some have the red specs carried on to the posterior slopes, whilst
again many are beautifully besprinkled across the whole breadth of the valves.
The colourless condition appears to represent old shells.
The genus Pecten is peculiar by its absence. We did not meet with many
bivalves of importance on the reef , but the commoner forms are Mytllicardia
variegata, Brug. ; two species of Avicula, A. fimbriaia Eeeve, and A. malJeoides,
HeeYe ; a few Lima multistriata, Sby. ; two species of stunted oyster,
a Modiola met with in all the pools and crevices, but specifically unknown to
Mr. Brazier ; and two species oi Area, A. {Litliarcd) decuszaia, Sby., and ..4.
divaricata, Sby. The first is moderately common, and distorted into all sorts
of shapes ;
whilst the latter, unlike individuals from the more tropical islands
of the Pacific, are small and uncommon. Perhaps the most characteristic
bivalve found on the reef is a small clam, Tridacna elongata, Lamk., lying
half buried in cracks and depressions of the surface. It is also found on the
rocky ledges of the east coast. An example of Crassatella pidchra, var.
Cumingi, A. Ad., and a dead valve of Pectunculus costatus, Eeeve, were also
picked up. Neither Braehiopoda, nor Pteropoda were met with.
The following is the complete list of Mollusca collected, as determined by
Mr. Brazier:
Spirula Peroni, Lamlc.
Onychoteuthis Banksi, Leacli.
Sepia latimanus, Q. ^ G.
Eusus Hauleyi, Angas.
Eanella leucostoma, LamJc.
Nassa mucronata, A. Ad.
„ elegans, Kiener.
,,
paupera, Gould.
PurjDura succincta, Martin.
,, ,,
var. striata.
var. textilosa.
,, ,,
,, amygdala, Kiener.
,, Smithi, Brazier (sp. nov.)
Cominella tritoniformis, Plain v.
Ricinula morns, Lamli-.
Sistrum chaidea, Dnclos.
,, marginalba. Bean.
Voluta nucleus, Lamlc.
Columbella versicolor, Shij.
„ Tyleri, Grag.
varians, Sbg.
5,
Cumingi,
,,
Peeve.
sp.
Engina armillata. Peeve.
„ lineata. Peeve.
Mitra scutulata, Chem. ?
„ sp-