1128 THK OCCUUUKNCK OF (JKJANTIC M AltSUI'IAL.S IN TASMANIA. 



Imbedded in the peat are iri'egiilar streaks and layers 

 ' of a soft calcareous mud, full of the shells of fresh water 

 molluscs. 



At Mr. Lovctts farm a trench of about 10ft. depth had 

 been cut. and partly imbedded in such a shell layer were 

 found the bones of, apparently, two individuals, a larger 

 and a smaller one. Unfortunately, Mr. Lovett had not 

 noted the position of the bones when thev were found, but 

 there is no doubt that they were not washed together by 

 running water; at least, those of the bigger animal 

 belonged to one individual. This fact is so far of import- 

 ance, as it proves that the animal must have perished 

 where it was subsequently found. If this view is correct, 

 there is every probability of finding further remains, be- 

 cause it is not vei'y likely that the specimen found was the 

 only one that existed. 



I collected a large number of the shells, be- 

 cause their determination must be of the greatest import- 

 ance in fixing the age of the strata in which the remains 

 of this marsupial were found. As I have been able to com- 

 pare the specimens witli the types in the Tasmanian 

 Museum, Hobart, the specific identification is correct. I 

 found : — 



(1) Vitrina (Paryphanta) Milligani. Pfeiff. 



(2) Helix (Flammulina) Hamiltoni, Cox. 



(3) Bulimus (Carycdes) Dusfresnii, Leach (eggs only). 



(4) Succinea australis Fer. 



(5) Physa tasmanica, Ten. Woods. 



(6) Bithynella nigra, Quoy and Gaimard spec. 



(7) Cyclas tasmanica. Ten. Woods. 



(8) Pisidium tasmanicum. Ten. Woods. 



(9) Ostracodum gen. et spec, indet. 



The occurrence of Physa tasmanica, some 8ft. from the 

 surface, associated with the remains of a gigantic mar- 

 supial, is of particular interest. Tennison AVoods (8). who 

 first desci'ibed this species, states that it is so similar to 

 Physa fontinalis, of Europe, that it is almost impossible 

 to distingui.5h the two species. He was, therefore, at fii-st 

 inclined to consider Physa tasmanica as an imported vari- 

 ety of Physa fontirtalis. The discovery of Physa tasmanica 

 in the beds of the Mowbray Swamp has now conclusively 

 proved that it is an indigenous, and not an imported. 



(8) Pap. nnd Proceed. Roy. Soc. Tasmania, 1875, pag. 74. 



