184 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



for which formerly constituted a remunerative occupation to many 

 men in the winter months, among the shrimpers and certain " Brey- 

 doners," but. owing to the representations of several local doctors and 

 the Medical Officer of Health, the practice was discontinued. It was 

 alleged that certain cases of poisoning and numerous typhoid outbreaks 

 were traced to the eating of river-taken Mussels. It can hardly be 

 expected, with the abominable pollution of the local waters by sewage, 

 this mollusc could remain untainted. Swarms of small Mussels are 

 attached to the pier-piles at Gorleston, and any vessel long afloat in 

 the harbour becomes swarmed with Mussels and Acorn barnacles 

 (Balanus balanoides). A few bags of Mussels are sometimes sent 

 away for bait, and latterly a quantity have been sent away to the 

 Blakeney district, where the water is sufficiently pure for their culture. 



Modiola modiolus, Linn. Horse Mussel. — C. " Common in drift- 

 sand, and on seaweed" (B.). Large examples are not often found, 

 although after strong northerly gales the roots of the oar-weed {Lami- 

 naria digitata) are sometimes seen with one valve attached. I have 

 received small examples from the shrimpers. After a rough series of 

 winds pecks of empty shells were, in company with hundreds of Star- 

 fish (Uraster rubens), thrown up on the beach early in April, 1902. 



Nucula nucleus, Linn. — P. Several have been brought me by the 

 local shrimpers. 



N. nitida, Sowerby. — Found by Messrs. Harmer. Very common 

 at Lowestoft. 



Montacuta bidentata, Mont. — "In drift" (B.). 



Loripes lacteus, Linn. — E. " One specimen, Gorleston " (B.). 



Cardium exiguum, Gmel. — (H.). 



C. edule, Linn. Common Cockle. — C. Numbers are found on 

 Breydon flats, of small size, about six or seven inches below the 

 surface, a few occasionally being found at the top under the Potamo- 

 geton. It seldom grows larger than a filbert-nut, and is never gathered 

 by the boys who in summer go " winkling." The Curlews and diving 

 Ducks that frequent Breydon in severe weather undoubtedly do collect 

 stray specimens. Some years ago, by accident, a very plentiful " lay" 

 of Cockles was found in a sandy stretch by the river-side off Gorleston, 

 which, upon discovery, was allowed no rest until the colony was entirely 

 extirpated. 



Tapes pullastra, Wood. — (H.). 



Tellina balthica, Linn. — C. " After a gale the empty valves are 

 plentiful on the beach" (B.). The shells found are usually quite 

 polished by the action of the sea. A few sometimes seen containing 

 the animal. This species is met with on Breydon. 



