Mytilus crenatuSf Ramphaslos erythrorynchus. 591 



rarity, yet their locality may afford some discussion, and at some 

 future period may decide dispute, as I have no doubt the same 

 shell will be considered ultimately a British production. The 

 ship has been shifted many times from her moorings, and conse- 

 quently some of the living shells removed and deposited in different 

 parts of the harbour, which I should expect will propagate their 

 kind. 



" The Wellesley was built at Bombay, and launched about 

 February, 1815 ; and came into this harbour 3d May, 1816, since 

 which she has never been out; making upwards of eight years 

 at this port ; and docked the 7th instant, when I collected the 

 shells." 



The Mytilus above referred to appears to be the M. crenatus 

 of Lamarck ; the specimens are smaller than usual ; and it appears 

 probable that the species will degenerate, until at last it becomes 

 very small, or wholly unable to exist in an uncongenial climate. 



J. DC. S. 



ADDITION TO MR. BRODERIP's COMMUNICATION. 



Since Mr. Broderip's remarks on the living Toucan in St. 

 Martin's-lane went to press (see p. 484), Mr. Swainson has been 

 in town, and has ascertained that it is the Ramphastos erythro- 

 rynchus, L. in a young state. It thus appears, that the rich 

 colours of the bill in this species, are obscure and ill-defined until 

 the bird is full grown ; a fact hitherto unnoticed in their history. 



2r2 



