162 Notes on a Dredging Excursion off the Coast of Durham. 



has put the result of this dredging excursion in a note on Rete- 

 pora Beaniana (p. 238), and that he has also given notice of the 

 ova-capsules of F. Norvegicus in the text of his paper in the 

 ' Annals ' of October last. This is the more to be deplored, as 

 his description is partly erroneous and very imperfect. I allowed 

 this gentleman to examine the capsules, but did not for a moment 

 suppose that he would publish an account of them without my 

 \ consent or knowledge. 



In addition to those objects resulting from the dredging ex- 

 cursion, I have obtained several interesting specimens from the 

 coasts of Durham and Northumberland from other sources. 

 From the Haddocks, those indefatigable collectors, I have pro- 

 cured one specimen each of Necera cuspidata and Bulla Cranchii, 

 and two of Natica helicbidea ; this is the first time, I believe, that 

 this rare shell has been taken so far south. From the fishermen, 

 less careful and less industrious collectors than the former, I have 

 received fine specimens of Fusus Turtonij F. Norvegicus, F. Bar- 

 vicensis, Trochus millegranusy the two last fished up off" Berwick ] 

 two or three specimens of Natica Groenlandica and Scalaria Tre- 

 villyana ; a large single specimen of Panopaa arctica, and a single 

 specimen each of Retepora Beaniana and Brijssus lyrifer. This 

 is the first time the last-mentioned species has been recorded as 

 being taken on the coast of Durham. It is most probably not 

 uncommon, as Mr. A. Hancock informs me that he has procured 

 it from the fishing-boats at CuUercoats. 



I have also obtained from the fishermen three ova-capsules of 

 Fusus Turtoni, These capsules are exceedingly interesting, as 

 they, together with the capsules of F, Norvegicus, prove very 

 clearly the distinctness of these two rare and little-known species, 

 which by some conchologists, I believe, have been considered as 

 mere varieties of F. antiquus. 



^_ Ova-capsules of Fusus Norvegicus. Plate X. fig. 3. 



/ The spawn of i*^. Norvegicus was dredged July 1, 1846, in sixty 

 fathoms water as before stated. Only two were taken; they are 

 of a subhemi spherical form, about one inch in diameter^ and are 

 agglutinated separately by a very thin, produced marginal rim 

 to the inside of old valves of Cardium echinatum. The envelope 

 is coriaceous, of a horny appearance, very transparent, smooth, 

 glossy and of a yellowish colour ; one of the capsules contained 

 three, the other only two embryos. The last were far advanced, 

 and apparently ready to leave the case. Through the transparent 

 covering when first dredged, I could see them moving about and 

 adhering to the inner surface of the capsule by the expanded 

 foot, the sides of which were of a faint lilac colour, The thin oper- 



