366 Tra7isactions. — Botany. 



living specimens. Ancillaria australis is exposed at extreme low water-mark 

 during neap tides. The rozy Psammohia Uneolata is common, and may be 

 easily collected in fine condition. In short, the Whangatan 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 excej)tion of the deeper channels is laid 

 bare at low water, the mud-oyster is plentiful amongst the mangroves, 

 associated with Cerithium bicarinatum, Ainpliihola avellana, Buccinuin 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 diiEculty at low water, Pinna zealandica occurs in some 

 qaantity, and near it Turbo cookii, T. granosus, and Valuta pacijica ; the long 

 pipi is also found sparingly in the same habitat. 



The common pipi ( Venus stutcliburyi) 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. 



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 Matalvana and Little Omaha, but 

 is far from common. L. pileopsis is also found near Little Omaha, with 

 Purpura Iiau^tum, P. textiliosa, and P. succincta. 



On the sea-weeds may be seen Bulla nova-zealandica, TrocJius margariti- 



ferns, and other molluscs, which live almost entirely on marine vegetation. 



Triton spengleri is chiefly found amongst Zostera, but is local. Ealiotis 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 

 zealandice 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 



