366 Transactions.— Botany. 
living specimens. Ancillaria australis is exposed at extreme low water-mark 
during neap tides. The rozy Psammobia lineolata is common, and may be 
easily collected in fine condition, In short, the Whangatau beach is one of 
the most productive localities known to me for marine shells. Eighty species 
may sometimes be picked up in a morning’s walk. 
In the harbour, which with the exception of the deeper channels is laid 
bare at low water, the mud-oyster is plentiful amongst the mangroves, 
associated with Cerithium bicarinatum, Amphibola avellana, Buccinum costatum, 
Nerita nigra, and Turbo smaragdus ; the opercula of the last are used in 
Auckland for the manufacture of cheap jewellery, but are of little value. 
Usually imbedded in the mud, with its point downwards, and accessible 
without much difficulty at low water, Pinna zealandica occurs in some 
qaantity, and near it Turbo cookii, T. granosus, and Voluta pacifica; the long 
pipi is also found sparingly in the same habitat. 
The common pipi (Venus stutchburyi) is most abundant, and forms a large 
portion of the food of the few natives still living on the shores of the harbour ; 
its dead valves have raised a huge bank many feet above low water-mark. 
Myodora striata, Tellina deltoidea, and T. albinella, with many other shells, 
occur in the same locality. j 
The rocks between tide marks afford favourable habitats for many species ; 
Littorina diemensis and Purpura rugosa are usually sprinkled over their 
surface, as if sown broad-cast ; Littorina cincta is comparatively rare. The 
rock oyster and limpets of various species abound, but the species of the latter 
rarely intermingle. Siphonaria australis is common in two or three localities, 
but local ; the singular Lottia fragilis, which resembles a fragment of greenish 
membrane adhering to the rock, is found at Matakana and Little Omaha, but 
is far from common. JL. pileopsis is also found near Little Omaha, with 
Purpura haustum, P. textiliosa, and P. succincta, 
On the sea-weeds may be seen Bulla nova-zealandica, Trochus margariti- 
Jerus, and other molluscs, which live almost entirely on marine vegetation. 
Triton spengleri is chiefly found amongst Zostera, but is local. Haliotis iris 
may be observed from projecting rocks, as it moves along the sea-bottom, 
presenting a somewhat attractive appearance. 
The forests afford shelter to a goodly sprinkling of land shells, chiefly 
Helices, many of which are minute, and have not yet been identified. Helix 
zealandie is not unfrequent on the nikau. H. dunnice, the largest species 
inhabiting the district, frequents fallen timber. H. radiaria is common 
amongst moss on tree trunks; other species are found under loose bark, 
stones, or amongst climbing plants, and are far more common than is generally 
supposed. 
The pretty native Physa occurs on weeds in fresh-water streams; an 
