BY T. HARVEY JOHNSTON AND OTTO S. HIRSCHFELD. 63 
Blochmann (1900, pp. 94-5; quoted by Yatsu 1902) 
enumerated several distinguishing characters separating 
this species from L. anatina, but Yatsu believed the mode 
of branching to be the only reliable criterion, considering 
the remaining points to be mere individual differences. 
He found that Japanese forms, regarded as L. anatina 
varied in their proportions of length, breadth, and thickness 
so that some agreed with L. anatina and others with L. 
murphiana. We regret that we have not been able to 
consult Blochmann’s paper either in Brisbane or Sydney. 
L. exusta Reeve. 
Syns :—L. anatina Hedley 1898, Brit. New Guinea 
L. anatina Banfield 1918, Dunk I., N.Q. 
L. exusta Tapparone-Canefri, 1873. 
The best account is that published by Davidson (1888, 
p. 217-8, pl. 28, figs. 20, 21, 21a), the original being very 
short (Reeve 1859, pl. 2, fig. 9; Sowerby, 1846, p. 339). 
Reeve considered it related to L. hians and thought that it 
was perhaps the Australian representative of that species. 
The description given by Davidson is as follows :—*‘ Shell 
oblong, much longer than wide, a little broader anteriorly ; 
sides almost subparallel, slightly curved inwards near the 
middle of their length ; front line very gently curved, with 
a projecting angle in the middle. Valves convex, beaks 
obtusely angular, surface smooth, shining, darkish coppery 
yellow-brown, especially towards the lateral and frontal 
margins. Length of shell 1 inch 7 lines, breadth 8 lines.” 
The ratio of length to breadth is then 2.37. The only 
.ocality mentioned for the species is ‘‘ Moreton Bay.’’ 
Davidson remarked that he had seen a number of specimens 
and that they all presented the same shape and marked 
dark colour. In addition to republishing Reeve’s figure, 
he illustrated a shell from the British Museum collection 
(pl. 28, fig. 21, 21a), the locality being given as Moreton 
Bay. 
We have examined a number of valves belonging to 
the Queensland Museum, collected by Hartmann in Torres 
Straits. These agree with Davidson’s:account and figure. 
The shell is strongly calcified especially when adult, main- 
taining its form when dry. In these two points the species 
