iS 



MOLLUSKS. 



Of the vast molluscan fauna of New South Wales only one 

 species is of present commercial importance, this being the 

 Common Oyster {Ostrea cucullata), which is so well and 

 favorably known for its fine edible qualities. Of the others, 

 at least the following are used for food, though not in any 

 considerable numbers : — The Mud Oyster (which is a variety 

 of the almost world-wide Ostrea ediilis), several species of 

 Cockle, two species of Saltwater Mussel, as well as a Fresh- 

 water Mussel (Unio),* Abalone {Haliotis) also known as 

 ''Mutton-fish," Ear-shell, &c. (and which is dried and sold by 

 Chinese merchants), a common species of Periwinkle, a 

 species of Whelk {Potamides), various Squids of the genera 

 Sepia, Sepioteuthis, &c., and occasionally the common Octopus. 

 Probably this list could be further extended at the present 

 time, and very probably there will, in time, be a number of 

 additions ; it is also highly probable that species of no im- 

 portance now, will become of very considerable value later 

 on, and when their true worth is recognised. In saying this 

 I am thinking more particularly of MoUusks like the common 

 Mussel, which may be easily and successfully farmed on 

 somewhat similar lines to Oysters, and in many cases in 

 waters or in zones of our littoral, in which the oyster will 

 not flourish. I would like to expatiate at some length upon 

 the importance of a Mussel-fishery in New South Wales, but 

 will have to content myself here with having drawn attention 

 to it, as I wish to deal here more with the very great import- 

 ance of our State Oyster-fisheries. These are now of great 

 value, and there is every indication of a gradual increase in 

 their importance. At the present time nearly 20,000,000 of 



* The common Fresh-water Mussel of our western river system 

 occurs in prodigious numbers, and grows to a large size (5 to 6 inches 

 or more in length). It is bound to come into prominence later on, 

 both because of its edible value and its useful shell, which attains a 

 considerable thickness, takes a beautiful polish, and is well suited for 

 button-making and for ornamental pin-trays, ash-trays, salt-cellars, as- 

 well as for many other purposes. 



