BY T. HARVEY JOHNSTON AND OTTO S. HIRSCHFELD 49 
that all known brachiopod larve except those of Lingula 
and Discina, were devoid of a mouth during their free 
swimming stage which, therefore, could not be long and, 
as a consequence, such species could not be distributed 
across Ocean basins ; moreover the majority of brachiopods 
occur on the submarine slopes of continents and adjacent 
islands and such cannot cross the ocean floor where the 
depth is too great. It would be of interest to know how 
long the larval Lingula can live prior to settling down. 
Judging from our findings regarding the distribution of 
some species (e.g. L. murphiana) on the Queensland coast, 
we suspect either that this period must be very short or 
Ise such larve are very susceptible to temperature changes ; 
while in other cases (e.g. L. hians) the larve must either be 
more hardy or more long-lived and thus allow of greater 
distribution to the species. 
A careful examination of forms of the L. anatina type 
from the East Indies (Moluccas and Timor) and from Japan 
might lead to the discovery of specific differences. Yatsu 
referred to variations in size in Japanese specimens, some 
agreeing with L. anatina and others with ZL. murphiana. 
We have found the ratio of length to breadth to be a fairly 
constant character and one that can be readily utilised to 
separate species which closely resemble each other in appear- 
ance, e.g. L. murphiana and L. bancrofti from the Queens- 
land coast. The Fijian species is not likely to be L. anatina. 
Davidson gives as sizes, one inch ten lines by ten lines, 
4.€., a ratio of 2.2. Yatsu’s largest specimen (1902, p. 62) 
measured 45 mm. by 20 mm., i.e., a ratio of 2.25. Figures 
given by Adams (1858) Chenu (p. 234, fig. 1,203), 
Woodward (1910) and others, are too diagrammatic for 
measurements to have much value. Francois’ figure 
(1895 fig. 315) gives a ratio of about 2.2 Sowerby’s figures 
show a ratio from about 2.1 to 2.4. 
We think it unlikely that L. anatina (L. rostrum) 
occurs on the coasts of New South Wales or of Southern 
Queensland. In view of the record (if correct) of the species 
from the Moluccas and Timor, its occurrence on the Northern 
Australian coasts is possible. For the present it should 
be struck off the list of known Australian Brachiopods. 
D 
