14 THE NAUTILUS. 



150 persons were present, chiefly professors of high schools and uni- 

 versities, officials and other public-spirited citizens who were earnest 

 advocates of the undertaking. 



On the following day about 150 principals of middle and common 

 schools were invited, and the day following the museum was opened 

 to the public. The daily number of visitors has been about 300. 



On March 31st the museum was honored by the visit of a party of 

 royal guests, the Imperial Crown Prince and his two royal brothers. 

 Mr. Hirase and his son were received in audience by His Highness, 

 who expressed great interest in the museum and its contents. 



It was at first intended to exhibit as many species as possible, 

 both foreign and Japanese, but when the Japanese shells were in- 

 stalled it was found that there was little space left for the foreign 

 ones, so that only a very small part of them could be exhibited. It 

 was decided that the Japanese species should be replaced with those 

 from abroad twice or thrice a year, and that the first replacement 

 should be made in August next. The foreign species are to be ex- 

 hibited just as a tourist goes round the world, according to the coun- 

 tries whence they come. For purposes of reference, Mr. Hirase 

 desires to exhibit photographs of museums and exhibit-rooms ; of 

 vivaria, or places connected with the cultivation of mollusks ; of 

 shell-button factories ; also photographs of shores or other natural 

 habitats of mollusks, in any country, and scenes of collecting shells, 

 and of natives who wear shells as ornaments. We hope that 

 American conchologists will supply a creditable exhibit for the 

 United States. 



The opening of the Museum was commemorated by the issue of a 

 handsome series of postal cards, which with other gifts were sent to 

 friends and correspondents in Japan and abroad. 



UNIO (NEPHKONAIAS) OKTMANNI, N. SP. 



BY L. S. FRIERSON. 



Shell large and ponderous, length 82, alt. 44, diam. 30 mm., 

 variable in shape, elliptical, to subtrapezoidal, frequently arcuate ; 

 sides somewhat flattened, biangulate behind, or very bluntly pointed. 

 The young are obsoletely rayed, greenish yellow ; adults are eradiate 

 and dark brown. Beaks small, incurved, pointed, low, and without 



