THE NAUTILUS. 



143 



An Unusual Extension of the Distribution of the 

 Shipworm in San Francisco Bay, California. By Albert 

 L. Barrows. (Univ. of Cal. Publications in Zool., vol. 18, no. 

 2, pp. 27-43, 1917.) A valuable contribution to our knowl- 

 edge of ship worms. "It is said that the shipworm was un- 

 known in San Francisco Bay in the early history of the port, 

 and that wood-boring molluscs did not become an extensive 

 menace to marine woodwork here until some years after the 

 great increase in the shipping entering the bay which fol- 

 lowed upon the discovery of gold in California. Be that as it 

 may, a species of the Teredidae, Xylotrya setacea Tryon now 

 thoroughly infests the main portion of the bay. . . . Another 

 species of shipworm, Teredo diegensis Bartseh, has also re- 

 cently caused damage in the upper part of San Francisco 

 Bay." 



In conclusion, the author states that T. diegensis may be 

 an intermittent resident of the vicinity of Mare Island; that 

 the excessive damage caused by this borer in 1913 came about 

 through the marked increase in the average salinity of the 

 water in this part of the bay, caused by two consecutive dry 

 seasons. A salinity of at least 10 parts per 1000 (approxi- 

 mately) seems to be required for the existence of T. diegensis 

 at temperatures ranging from 6° to 19° C. — C. W. J. 



A Systematic List of the Marginellhxe. By J. R. Le 

 Brockton Tomlin. (Proc. Mai. Society London, vol. 12, pp. 

 242-306, 1917.) A very useful list in which the author has 

 endeavored to bring together all specific and varietal names 

 that has ever been used, giving the synonymy and reference 

 to where each species is described. The list contains some 950 

 names representing 519 species. 



Pirates of the Deep — Stories of Squid and Octopus. By 

 Paul Bartseh. (Annual Report Smith. Inst., 1916, pp. 347- 

 375, 19 plates.) An exceedingly interesting review. A brief 

 account of their past history is followed by a number of nar- 

 ratives of the captures of some of these remarkable creatures, 

 together with much useful information pertaining to their 

 economic use. 



