MOLLUSC A OF GREAT YARMOUTH. 183 



The Fresh-water Mollusca, of course, and those peculiar to 

 the marshy district, are less difficult of study, and if more 

 systematically worked " it is probable," say the Messrs. Paget in 

 their ' Sketch of the Natural History of Great Yarmouth,' " that 

 novelties would be met with in our salt marsh-ditches, in many 

 of which the weeds are covered with a variety of shells, which 

 could scarcely fail to be productive of interest." 



The list below will, for the purpose of those who may here- 

 after more diligently pursue the subject, be of some use, in- 

 asmuch as it will form a basis on which to continue investigation 

 and observation. It must be understood that the area worked 

 has been confined exclusively to the immediate neighbourhood 

 of Great Yarmouth. 



As far as possible I have added the local status of the various 

 species, which the following abbreviations will make sufficiently 

 plain: — C, common; A., accidental; O., occasional; N. C, not 

 common ; F., frequent ; B., J. B. Beckett ; H., F. W. Harmer. 



Maeine Bivalves. 



Ostrea edulis, Linn. Oyster. — 0. During the palmier days of 

 the local trawl fishery many " trunks " full of very large coarse-shelled 

 Oysters were brought to the fish-wharf, the shells being rough and 

 distorted, and exceedingly thick, in many cases perforated with 

 hundreds of worm-borings, and covered with Actinia, Serpula, and 

 Zoophytes. This Oyster is a coarse rank-tasting morsel, and known 

 vulgarly as the " Smack-Oyster," in distinguishing it from the 

 smaller, better-flavoured, cultivated mollusc — the " real native," and 

 other brands. On occasion I have known anchors brought to the 

 surface covered with Oysters of all ages and sizes. Our roadstead, 

 however, with its strong tides and "live" sand, is not conducive to 

 the well-being of spat or the juvenile Oyster. Many years ago a 

 bed was discovered between Yarmouth and Lowestoft, but was soon 

 worked completely out. 



Pecten varius, Linn. Pecten. — N. C. "A few specimens north 

 of Britannia Pier" (B). Single valves of this and P. opercularis are 

 occasionally washed up on the beach, and the shrimpers take small 

 examples. 



P. opercularis, Linn. — 0. " Common near Lowestoft " (B.). 



Mytilus edulis, Linn. Mussel. — C. The Yare and the channel 

 on Breydon are in places literally " paved" with this species, dredging 



