THE WmDOW-PANE OYSTERS. 



41 



the suspensory membrane of the gills ; but the pearl yield was 

 poor. I give the sizes for future reference : — 



Sheets of encrusting Bryozoa occurred at base and apex of both 

 valves of No. 9 ; the right valve of No. 10 was bored in four places, 

 the holes being covered internally by thin nacre. 



Station II. — Opposite Sinnakkulam Ur, south of the point called 

 Mutalaippiddi " crocodile shallow," in 1| fathom. In Mr. Hor- 

 nell's sketch plan of the lake the Nachchikkuda bed is localized 

 between Mutalaippiddi and the head of the bight. Three divers 

 within ten minutes brought up six living and six dead well-grown 

 placunse. Details of the living specimens are given below : — 



Observations. 

 Many patent cysts ; no pearls. 

 Right valve overgrown with 

 yellow encrusting sponge. 



Edge newly bordered with thin 

 shell- substance. About a 

 dozen small pearls, eight of 

 which were lying close to the 

 lower border of the adductor 

 muscle. 



153 

 142 



149 

 134 



Patent cysts present. 



Stationlll. — Abreast of Mutalaippiddi, where there is a sandy beach 

 with low trees in front of the coconut plantation. Three divers 

 found eight living oysters in about Ih fathom within five minutes : — 



