122 Unio distortus (Bean) and Alasmodon vetustus (Brown). 
ing the former distribution of this species in the above-men- 
tioned continents. It is, therefore, difficult to trace out 
conclusively its exact range in former times. Until further 
fossil evidence is forthcoming, it seems impossible at present 
to satisfactorily determine the place of origin, or the original 
stock from which the Margaritanas were evolved. The resem- 
blance of Unio’ distortus, however, to recent species of the 
genus Margaritana, is not without interest, and one feels dis- 
posed to consider this form as a possible prototype, or fore- 
runner, of the later Margaritanas, if not an actual Margaritana 
“itself. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. 
PLATE IX. 
Fic. 1.—Cast of Bean’s Type Specimen of Unio distortus, shewing 
anterior adductor scar, lunule, etc. [Original in British Museum). 
Fic. 2.—Brown’s Type Specimen of Pachyodon ( Alasmodon) vetustus. 
Manchester Museum, L. 9773}. Note.—Anterior end restored. 
Fic. 3.—Brown’s Type Specimen of Unio humatus. {Manchester 
Museum, L. 9774]. 
NoTte.—Figures 1 and 2 are two-thirds of the natural size; figure 
3 is three-quarters natural size. 
PLATE X. 
Fic. 1.—Specimen of Margaritana margaritifera (L.) from R. Lune, 
Lancashire, shewing excessive decortication of the umbonal region, which 
has exposed the back of the anterior adductor scar, etc. [Mr. R. Standen’s 
collection}. 
Fic. 2.—Neanic specimen of Unio distortus Bean, Estuarine Series, 
Yorkshire Coast. [Williamson Collection, Manchester Museum, L. 9775]- 
Fic. 3.—Neanic specimen of Margavitana margaritifera (L.), from 
R. Conway, Llanrwst, N. Wales, for comparison with fig. 2. [R. D. 
Darbishire Collection, Manchester Museum, EE. 2309]. 
Notre.—Figure 1 is two-thirds natural size; figures 2 and 3 are slightly 
less than the natural size. 
_———~ > @—_—_—__ 
NORTHERN NEWS. 
Mrs. Grindon has presented the herbarium formed by the late Leo 
H. Grindon, to the Manchester Museum. 
Nis should like to congratulate our contributor, Miss M. A. Johnstone, 
B.Sc., F.L.S., on having received an important appointment in Man- 
ch aster. 
We notice that the Attendant at a Yorkshire Museum has applied for 
an increase of salary, and this has been granted. He now enjoys an 
income of six shillings a week. 
Mr. R. W. Goulding favours us with a small pamphlet on the ‘ Louth 
Antiquarian, Naturalists’ and Literary Society. Twenty-six Years—a 
Retrospect.’ He points out that the society was founded by our contribu- 
tor, Mr. Harry Wallis Kew, in 1884, when he was fifteen years of age. 
From Mr. C. Bailey we have received his ‘ Third List of the Adven- 
titious Vegetation of the Sandhills of St. Anne’s on-the-Sea’ (“ Mem. and 
Proc. Manch. Lit. and Phil. Soc.). The alien plants appear in poultry 
runs on the sandhills, and as building operations proceed, the poultry, 
with their alien flora, are pushed further afield. Mr. Bailey has now left 
the district, but we hope someone will be able to carry on the work. 
Naturalist, 
