Mollmks. 4313 



Lesmurdie cottage, Mr. Martin. Canal, on the farm of Inverlochty, 

 Mr. Macdojiald. The Loch of the Romach, Mr. I. Shand. 



The perplexing genus Pisidium has abundant representatives in 

 almost every pool and ditch of the district. A series of specimens, 

 collected from different localities by Mr. Macdonald, were sent 

 to Mr. Hancock, of Newcastle, who, with Mr. Alder, kindly took the 

 trouble of examining thein> and identified the following species 

 as denizens of the Province of Moray. 



Dwarf Pisidium, Pisidium pusillum. In a small marshy pool near 

 Linksfield quarry, Mr. Macdonald. 



Shining Pisidium, Pisidium nitidum. Abundant, and of large 

 size in the Redmire Marsh, Pluscurden School-house ; in the Loch 

 of Rininver, Mr. J. Shand. In a small clear rivulet on the farm of 

 Spynie ; the Deer's Loch, Quarry wood ; by the Rothes road, four 

 miles from Elgin, Mr. Macdonald. 



Beautiful Pisidium, Pisidium pulchellum, (also P. Jenynsii, Mac.) 

 Among the many localities for this species and its varieties may be 

 noticed : — Marsh below Lesmurdie cottage ; ditches at Inverlochty ; 

 west end of the Loch of Spynie ; Tyock ; Blackburn ; Rough Bog, 

 Plnscarden ; Loch of the Blairs, Altyre ; and Burn of Kiuloss. 



Fresh-water Pearl Mussel, Unio margaritiferus, {Alasmadon mar- 

 garitiferus, Flem. and Mac.) An early, and indeed as yet the only, 

 known locality in the neighbourhood of Elgin for this once highly 

 prized shell, is at a bend of the Lochty or Blackburn, near Allarburn, 

 where it has been kuown to exist for many years. In several parts of 

 the rivers Spey, Avon, and Donovan, it has been gathered for the sake 

 of the pearls — few and far between — expected to be found wilhin it. 

 Lachlan Shaw, the historian of Moray, 1775, says, " in the river 

 Spey there are pearl-shells, in which I have seen many ripe pearls of 

 a fine water and great value." Mr, Charles Grant, schoolmaster of 

 the parish of Aberlour, has collected and kindly communicated the 

 information, that about eight or ten years ago, an individual from In- 

 verness fished for pearls at Abernethy, on the Spey, but, after the 

 toil of two weeks and the destruction of many a mussel, he is reported 

 to have carried off no greater reward than six or seven, of what size 

 or value is unknown, as he was so tenacious of his fancied treasure, 

 that he refused to exhibit them to the inspection of any one. He 

 found the shells in still pools having a muddy bottom ; and the 

 instrument of landing was a long pole, having a string with a noose 

 attached to its end. He contrived to get the noose round the shells, 

 and, tightening it with a sudden jerk, drew them ashore. Mr. Grant 



