44 REPORT—1852. 
rather diffused throughout them than lying in regular beds. This, together with the fact 
that the same species were found at every depth, made it useless as well as impossible 
to observe levels to which the species should respectively belong. Besides, the shells 
were all of recent species, and thus fixed the formations of one geological age. The 
following is a summary of the remarks upon each species. 
Teredo norvegica, Sprengler. A considerable number of tubes were found, tending 
to prove the indigenousness of the species. It is not now an inhabitant of the bay, 
nor indeed is there any habitat nearer than Portpatrick in Wigtonshire, a harbour 
presenting identically similar geological features to those of Belfast Bay. 
Pholas dactylus, Linn. A single valve in the sand of the deposits. It exists at 
present in some numbers in the harbour. 
P. parva, Penn. Was met with, and in the living state upon the surface. 
P.crispata, Linn. Several huge examples 43 inches long. Not now common in 
the bay. 
P. ion eas Linn. A tolerable number of single valves, with a few perfect speci- 
mens, one three inches in length. At the present day abundant in the harbour. 
Saxicava arctica, Linn. A few single valves. Still an inhabitant of the bay. 
Mya truncata, Linn. Occurred plentifully. An extremely common species in the 
harbour, 
M. arenaria, Linn. Was found everywhere in the deposits. Now a favourite food 
with the poor along the neighbouring shores, 
Corbula nucleus, Lam. Was met with but sparingly. It still occurs in the bay. 
Thracia phaseolina, Lam. A few specimens, but only with separated valves. Com- 
mon enough in the harbour at present. 
T. pubescens, Pult. One rather fine individual. Has been taken also in the living 
state in the neighbourhood. 
T. conveaa, Wood. A large number was obtained. Has not been taken in Belfast 
Bay. 
Solen marginatus, Pult. Occurred rather frequently. Has been dredged in the 
dead state near the mouth of the harbour. 
S. ensis, Linn. Represented by one or two poor examples of the var. magna. 
Both the typical form and the var. occur in the living state. 
S. pellucidus, Penn. In small numbers, and rather local. Dredged commonly 
enough in the bay. 
Solecurtus coarctatus, Gmel. A single rather fine example. Not in the harbour as 
a living species, but has been dredged in some of the neighbouring estuaries. 
Psammobia vespertina, Chem. “One valve only. Still an inhabitant. 
P. Ferroensis, Chem. Rather scarce, and only in single valves. Now dredged in 
tolerable numbers alive. 
Tellina tenuis, Da Cos. Was represented by rather fresh-looking specimens. Quite 
abundant as a living occupant. 
T. solidula, Pult. Distributed everywhere throughout the beds. Still a common 
shell in the neighbourhood. 
Syndosmya alba, Was well distributed, and occurred in large numbers in company. 
It is also an inhabitant in the recent state. 
Scrobicularia piperata, Gmel. Left ample memorials of its former presence; and 
does not occupy suitable localities near Belfast. The best specimens found nearest to 
the course of the river. : 
Mactra elliptica, Brown. Occurred pretty often. Enumerated amongst the inha- 
bitants of the harbour. 
M. subtruncata, Da Cos. A large number of fine examples. Abundant in the bay 
in the living state. 
Lutraria elliptica, Lam. Was imbedded everywhere. It is yet in the harbour a not 
unfrequent species. 
Tapes decussata, Linn. Appeared pretty often. Dug living out of the sand near 
Belfast. 
T. pullastra, Wood. The typical form was met with abundantly. Extremely 
numerous at the present day. 
T. aurea, Gmel. Was locally abundant. In some parts of the bay nothing could 
be more plentiful than this as a living species. 

