26 ON BOVINE PLEURO PNEUMONIA. 
from scab. And it is really not too sanguine a view to take of 
the situation, to anticipate the time when a like result will follow 
a scientific investigation into the mysteries of the growth and 
incubation of the microbium of pleuro. We have seen the 
extraordinary vitality of the contagium of the disease, that for 
many months retains its power to contaminate healthy stock. 
The hope that someone better qualified should take up this 
subject, and deal with it in a. more comprehensive manner, is the 
reason why I have brought the matter forward, and only trust it 
may soon engage the attention of a scientific man with results of 
benefit to all. 
A discussion arose, in which the Chairman, Mr. P. R. Gordon, 
Dr. J. Bancroft, and the author of the paper took part, the general 
purport of which was to support the contention of the latter as to 
the desirability of the general inoculation of cattle, as a 
preventative for pleuro-pneumonia, being undertaken. 
NOTES. 
An UnusuaL AGENCY IN THE DESTRUCTION OF MARINE 
Mottusca.—During the occurrence of the floods of such ex- 
ceptional severity which visited this and other parts of the Colony 
during the latter part of January, when all the rivers which empty 
themselves into Moreton Bay were considerably swollen, the water 
in parts of it became at times almost quite fresh to the detriment 
of animals living in it. Amongst the molluscs thus effected, 
specimens of which are now exhibited, were Trophon Hanleyi, 
Nassa plumbea, Cerithium ebenium, Modiola australis, Pinna 
(2 species), Ostrea trigona, Anomalocardia trapezia, Anomalocardia 
sp., and Lingula. Of these those which appeared to suffer most 
were the large Arcas, of which heaps of dead shells were soon 
formed; nearly all the Pinnas were killed; individuals of Ceri- 
thium remained, many of them in a semi-torpid condition for 
some days and afterwards came round. The ravages of Trophon 
Hanleyi on oysters were materially diminished after the usual 
salinity of the bay had been established. Molluscs living im- 
bedded in the mud died there, and thus their dead shells were 
not conspicuous by their presence. It was observed that shells 
which are ordinarily uncovered, such as the rock oyster and 
species of Risella and Trochocochlea, at low-water, were little 
affected. Have not we here a clue to the explanation of those 
occurrences, otherwise difficult to account for, of beds of shells 
both in recent as well as in deposits of considerable geological 
age.—J. BancrorT, M.D. 
