94 GASTROPODA. [Aspidobranehict.. 



2. Haliotis iris, Martyn, 1784. Plate 8, fig. 2. 



Haliotis iris, Martyn, Univ. Conch., ii. f. 61 ; Reeve, Conch. Icon., f. 37 ; 

 Sowerby, Thes. Conch., v, 20. pi. 3, f. 24, 25 ; Man. Conch. (1), xii, 110. 

 pi. 13. f. 65, 66. 



Shell oval, the two sides equally curved, convex. Sculpture con- 

 sists of rows of low radially arranged nodules ; young shells are spirally 

 lirate like H. virginea, with a few oblique rows of nodules ; surface 

 pitted ; concentric growth-lines very distinct. Colour pale brown or 

 olive-green. Spire short, with 2 whorls only. Protoconch smooth, 

 consisting of half of a whorl. Back of shell convex, angled at the row 

 of perforations. Lip continuous, produced beyond the body-whorl. 

 Inside it is brilliantly pearly, prussian-blue and green predominating, 

 but with reflections also of purple, orange, and a little red ; central 

 muscle-scar roughened, copper-coloured. Columellar plate broad, pass- 

 ing into the expanded continuation of the outer lip above, not 

 truncate below ; its face, is flattened, and slopes inward ; cavity o 

 spire small. Perforations round to oval, 5 to 7 open. 



Length, 95 mm. ; breadth, 70 mm. ; convexity, 25 mm. Length,. 

 141 mm. ; breadth. 102 mm. ; convexity, 36 mm. 



Animal and Dentition. Hutton, T. N.Z.I., xv. 127, pi. 15. f. H. 



Hab. Rocky shore s of the North and South Islands ; Chatham, 

 Snares, and Auckland Islands. Below low-water mark, in some 

 localities very abundant. Brought to England by Captain Cook. 



Remarks. This shell has been much used by the Maoris for orna- 

 menting their carvings and for fishing-hooks ; the animal was used as 

 food. 



Maori. Paua. 



Vernacular Name. Mutton-fish. 



Fossil in the Miocene. 



3. Haliotis varia, Linngeus, 1758. Plate 7, fig. 24. 



Haliotis varia. Linn., Syst. Nat., ed'. x, 780: Reeve, Conch. Icon., f. 4: 

 Sowerby, Thes. Conch., v, 28, f. 5, 6. 7, 11. 12. 61 : Man. Conch. (1), xii, 

 95, pi. 17, f . 91, 93, 99, 100 ; pi. 23, f. 53-55 : Suter, T.X.Z.I., xxxix, 

 268. H. viridis. Reeve, Conch. Icon., f. 40. H. semi-stria ta, Reeve, 

 Conch. Icon., f. 51 a, b, c. 



Shell oval or oblong-oval, convex, distance from apex to margin 

 about one-eighth the entire length of shell. Sculpture : Numerous 

 very unequal spiral cords, crossed by low radiating folds, forming 

 tubercles on the cords ; the surface sculpture is excessively variable, 

 but in the typical form consists of " swollen nodules ranging across 

 the shell in oblique waves." Colour usually consists of broad white 

 or greenish rays upon a dark-chocolate, olive-brown, or green ground. 

 The spire is rather large. Protoconch flattened, consisting of 1 whorl, 

 with a peripheral row of nodules, a few spiral striae above. Whorls 



