142 DTJBLIN NA.TUEM. HISTOEY SOCIETY. 



internal surface of the unio (or fresh-wator mussel). To remove the irritation 

 caused by this, the animal immediately secretes the pearly matter over it, and 

 thus proauces pearls. Ingenious as this suggestion was, it unfortunately did not 

 fully answer the expectation of its author, for the pearly matter did not assuroo 

 the globular form, which adds such value to the pearl. I now adduce the cir- 

 cumstance to prove the great care taken by the animal to secure for its domicile 

 a smooth and polished floor. I will only further observe, if the theory enun- 

 ciated as above be true, what must our astonishment bo, when we see such ten- 

 der and frail animals as Gastrochajna, Pholadia, and the shelless Thallassoma 

 diving into the heart of a crystalline rock, with as great ease and certainty as 

 the hardest chisel. In conclusion, I would most anxiously impress on those 

 whose sympathies are engaged in the charming science of natural history not to 

 be deterred by the unpromising appearance of a coast, but with patience mi- 

 nutely to examine every accessible spot; and I can promise that they will be 

 rewarded for their trouble, as I have been in my examination of the coast adjoin- 

 ing Clonea. 



Mr. Andrews observed that the Society must feel deeply indebted to Dr. Far- 

 ran for his valuable communication this evening, and for the interest he afforded 

 to it by the splendid series of illustrations. The favourable opportunities of in- 

 vestigating the subject that Dr. Farran had, and the perseverance with which 

 he followed it out, but few Members could accomplish ; therefore, but little 

 could be remarked on what Dr. Farran had submitted. The very fine examples 

 of Teredo Norvagica embedded in the root-timber of Pinus sylvestris ; the re- 

 marks on Gastrochasna pholadia, Venerupus irus, and Hiatella rugosa, were 

 all additional facts of interest. The Society had long been sensible of the im- 

 portance of publishing its own Transactions, and it had often been noticed at 

 the meetings. He was, however, glad now to say that the determination of 

 doing so would be acted upon. The discovery of Pholas papyracea was a re- 

 ward of perseverance. It had often, in the young state, been met on the coast 

 of Devonshire, and known as the P. lamellata. It was, again, a subject of im- 

 portance, the geographical and geological distribution and position of animals. 

 The peculiarities of the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, with that of the 

 south-western parts of this country, afforded many analogous cases both in 

 zoology and botany ; and, as before stated, with reference to other discussions, 

 with the shores of the Mediterranean. With regard to the very remarkable no- 

 tice and discovery by Dr. Farran of *' Thalassema Neptuni, as a stone -borer," 

 Mr. Andrews would mention that he had met with several specimens of that sin- 

 gular animal long since in Dingle Harbour. They were embedded in hard sand 

 in the dead valves of Lutraria and Venus exoleta. These singular worm-like 

 creatures were of great beauty in the living state ; the body, of a grayish and 

 purplish tinge, and the projectile proboscis of a rich saffron orange. In these 

 valves were also specimens of that pretty little mollusc, Kellia suborbicularis. 

 In stating this, it was not Mr. Andrews's intention to wrest from Dr. Farran the 

 merit of the discovery which he undoubtedly possesses, but merely to record the 

 additional interest that the zoology of our coasts presents ; and, were we all to 

 investigate with such zeal, there can be no doubt that numberless new objects 

 and facts of interest would be noticed. Mr. Andrews saw no reason but that the 

 south-west coast would afford to us another very pretty genus closely allied to 

 Thalassema and Bonnellia, differing only in the forked proboscis, and which is 

 susceptible of great extension. Bonnellia viridis is an inhabitant of the Medi- 

 terranean, burrowing to some depth in the sand. 



Professor Allman said he could confirm the observations of Mr. Andrews 

 relative to the Thalassema. Some time since Mr. Andrews gave him specimens 

 for dissection, but circumstances and numerous occupations prevented his tak- 

 ing up the subject, and making the minute examination that Mr. Andrews had 

 requested of him. 



