COLLECTION* MADE UY W. SAVILLE-KENT. F.L S , F.Z.S., ETC 225 



distinct from that of any other oyster growing in their vicinity. 

 The one other species obtained from the same locality is apparent- 

 ly a local variety of the common Rock Oyster of the Australian 

 coast line, and whi« h is most generally referred to the Ostrea 

 glome" ata of Gould. This species, however, in Cambridge Gulf, 

 and likewise at Port Darwin, is not accessible until the tide is 

 well down, while the minute form now under notice is found only 

 immediately below high water mark. The circumstance of its 

 growing abundantly on the leaves of the mangrove indicates that 

 this species is exposed to atmospheric influences for abnormally 

 long periods. Examples of this diminutive species of oyster were 

 given by me to Dr. J. C. Cox, of Sydney, to whom, — he being 

 an authority on the innumerable varieties of this mollusk--I 

 relegated the task of determining its specilic identity, or of 

 describing it if new. In his opinion it is altogether distinct 

 from any form with whrh he was previously acquainted, and I 

 am anticipating ere long his report upon it. Under no process 

 of cultivation, I fear, will this remarkable oyster arrive at 

 the standard size, two inches, permitting of its being placed on 

 the public market. 



Throughout my expedition I instinctively kept a keen look out 

 for all edible forms of the genus Ostrea. As already mentioned, 

 in the neighbourhoods of Port Darwin and Cambridge Gulf, a 

 variety of what I regard to be Oitrea qlomerata, or the common 

 Rock Oyster of this and the neighbouring colony of New South 

 Wales, was the predominating form.. On my way up and down 

 he Queensland coast, and abreast of the Great Barrier Reef 

 moreover, I was constantly afforded by Captain Allison, of the 

 China Navigation Co.'s s.s. " Tsinan," the opportunity of landing 

 for an hour or so on one or two of the coral islands, including 

 those of Cairncross and the Howick Group. Here my attention 

 was attracted to a form of oyster that was very abundant in the 

 dead coral b'ocks exposed at low water. As exemplified by the 

 specimens exhibited, the distinctive external features of this form 

 when retaining its most normal and unrestricted development, 



