JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY. 177 



COLLECTING MOLLUSCA IN THE 



CELTIC REGION (ON THE COAST OF FRANCE), 



NEAR BREST. 



In the 'Journal de Conchyliologie ' for April, 1885, Dr. F, 

 Daniel has a pleasant article in which he offers very useful 

 advice from an experienced naturalist to collectors on the sea 

 shore. After dismissing for the occasion the use of the dredge, 

 partty on account of the amount of apparatus, and partly 

 because of the jealousy of fishermen, who don't show their 

 favourite places to strangers, and of the 'obstructiveness of the 

 fishery officials'. Dr. D. details skilfully the search amongst 

 weeds on rock and sand, especially near low water, and under 

 stones, and in the sand and mud. 



He recommends search on the shore on any coast at high 

 and low water, from the end of autumn to the beginning of 

 May. The sand molluscs burrow less deeply and the weed- 

 eating mollusca come up after January to feed on the young 

 weed and to lay their eggs ; — many species coming especially 

 amongst Zostera. At this season the bank of St. Marc at Brest 

 is often strewed with Acera, Bulla, and Aplysia. Pleuro- 

 branchus occurs in occasional seasons. On the sands, par- 

 ticularly in the early spring when the Zostera begins to grow, 

 Scalaria is to be found burrowing or creeping, also Dentalium, 

 Natica alderi, and Pandora, while by sweeping this weed before 

 the tide has left it, many small Trochus and Rissoa may be 

 taken. So also Lacuna, Phasianella, and Cerithium, especially 

 in the cooler months. 



It is better to follow the retreating tide than to meet it as 

 it rises, i.e., to catch specimens before they have secreted them- 

 selves. Where the rocks at low water are overgrown with weed, 

 collect the bushy masses and shake them over a cloth, or 

 better, in a pot of fresh water at home, for many small species. 



M 



