806 Transactions.—Zoology. 
A few species are seen only on the verge of low-water mark, but are for 
the most part stragglers from the next zone. Fusus zealandicus and F. 
dilatatus can now and then be picked underneath ledges, sometimes accom- 
panied by Triton spengleri. Under stones Tugali elegans and Fusus linea are 
often to be observed, together with a number of minute shells, of which 
Eulima chathamensis and two undescribed species of Columbella deserve 
mention. Parmophorus australis, one of the most singular of our molluscs, 
can also be occasionally collected. The inky black colour of the animal, 
and its large size compared with the shell—which indeed it almost entirely 
conceals—will cause it to be easily recognized when once seen. Crenella 
discors, a rather handsome bivalve, should also be mentioned here, from its 
curious habit of spinning a nest for itself under the roots of sea-weeds or 
among Sponges and Tunicata. 
Boring molluses are well represented in the space between the tide marks; 
the sandstone rocks being everywhere preforated by two species of the 
Pholadide (Pholas similis and Pholadidea tridens ) and by Lithodomus trun- 
catus. The intensely hard basaltic lava around Rangitoto alone appears to 
successfully resist their attacks. Venerupis reflexa often shelters in the 
deserted burrows of the Pholas, but is capable of excavating for itself in the 
softer rocks. The ravages of the Teredo in the timber of our wharves and 
jetties is too well known to need more than simple mention here. 
Where mud or sand takes the place of rocks, we find a somewhat different 
assemblage of species. Amphibola avellana can everywhere be seen crawling 
among the mangroves that line the sides of the more sheltered bays. The 
affinity of this curious species is with the tropical genus Ampullaria, which 
includes a large number of forms, all inhabitants of fresh water, and many 
of which are well-known in India and other countries under the name of. 
Pond-snails. Hidden among the roots of the sedges and rushes that often 
frmge the line of high-water mark Melampus costellaris may be observed, 
sometimes in great abundance. A few fluviatile shells—principally species 
of Hydrobia or of allied genera—are often found in pools that are only 
entered by the sea at spring-tides, or during storms. The extensive mud- 
flats and sand-banks that are laid bare by the recess of the tide are the 
favourite habitat of many species of bivalyes. The Cockle ( Chione stutch- 
buryi) prefers sheltered and rather muddy localities ; the Pipi (Mesodesma 
chemnitzii) inclines to a more sandy and exposed situation. Hemimactra 
ovata is plentiful, buried in the muddy banks of the tide streams. Other 
common forms are Mesodesma cuneata, Tapes intermedia, Tellina deltoidalis, 
etc. Accompanying these, and to a great extent preying upon them, are 
some of the Zoophagous Gasteropods, the most abundant of which are 
Buccinum maculatum, B. costatum, and (near low-water mark) Ancillaria 
Perec ites ees 
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