116 
The South Au^stralian Naturalist. 
It is not my intention to deal with every shell that maj- be found and recorded 
in that very useful catalogue compiled by 8ir -I. 0. Verco in July of 1908, but witli 
those only "that I have been fortunate enough to discover with the assistance and 
advice of Mr. E. H. Matthews. After receiving from him his most invaluable help 
and advice, coupled witli my own practic^al experience as the personal resul tof 
research, 1 feel it not only my privilege but my cbi^y others. In 
the classification of this catalogue it will be found that item 4 starts with tiie family 
known to us as Polyi)laco[)liora, or more commonly called Chitons. As it is while 
collecting specimens of those multi^■alves that many different sorts of shells, both 
univalve” and bivalve, are secured, I proiJose to first deal with the vStenochitons. 
If you will imagine that you are in that mass of weed, growing just below low-tide, 
inside the stone wall on the south side of the Outer Harbor, with your jar filled with 
salt-water ready to place your specimens in so that they may be kept alive until 
such time as y(ui return to your home or to wliere they are to be dealt Avith, I will 
start with — ( I ) I'^rluiochiiou StenocMion jnloirles. This ivill be found at the root of 
that broad weed, known as Posidonia, that grows so plentifully all along our coast 
just beloAV low-water mark. If you will pull this weed out from tlie roots you will 
find this animal living beneath the sheath near the root, and it can be readily 
removed with the thumb and finger and place in your jar. Exercise every care 
when taking specimens of the ('hiton family so as not to injure them. This 
particular shell I have found in largo quantities at the Outer Harbor. When 
vou have examined the bottom of this weed do not throAv it away until > ou examine 
'both sides of the leaf-i)art as there you will find that beautiful little shell (2) Nacella 
Qiarra and (3) Sienochito)) posidonialis. Under, and mixed in the roots of, this 
weed Avill also be found (4) Paphia galactife-s. You will notice a weed, similar to 
the one I have just mentioned, but longer and much narrower, known as Zostera 
tasmanica, growing close by. If you will pull a handful and examine all along the 
leaf on both sides you will find (5) Sienochiton pilsbryaniis. ^ While working among 
these weeds you A'.'ill notice a wiry weed carrying a leaf, at first sight, like the olive 
tree, known' as Cymodocea. Grasp a handful of this, fairly low down, and pull 
it out ; first exam'iue the leaves, for here lives (6) Phasianella australis in its adult 
form, (7) Phasianotrochas belhdus, (8) irisodontes, and (9) nitidulus ; (10) Oantharidm 
lehnanni and (11) pulcherrimus, (12) Thalotia conica, (13) Banhivia fasciata, (14) 
Modiolaria pauliicr.im, some of the (15) Pyrenes, different varieties of Starfish, 
a short-spined Echinus (commonly called a sea-egg). After a thorough overhaul 
of the leaves, search on the base or bare parts of the stem and there you lyill 
discover a small Stenochiton knowm as (16) cymodocealis. Pick up and examine 
any pieces of dead Pinna shell for it is on these that (17) Crepidula immersa and 
(18) Placuanomia ione is found. While you are Avorking among the AA'eeds look 
out for (19) Pusus australis and (20) ustnlatus, also (21) Fascioiaria australasia, 
craAvling among the weeds, and should you be Avell out you may pick up a specimen 
or two of (22) Olira australis on the sand patches. There are also a fe.AV speciinens 
of (23) Pinna inennis scattered about. On this Pinna you Avill find (24) Haliotis 
cyclobates, and very often a specimen or tAVo of (25) Isohonochiton contractus, 
at the base, on the surface of the sand (20) Conus anemone. It Avas here that ! 
secured my best specimens of Haliotis cyclobates, not only as to size, but also quality, 
and they were beautifully colored. You will at times find (27) Capulus australis 
clin<ring to this Haliotis. " When the tide turns and it becomes necessary to retire 
from yonv weed-AVork, get out to the edge of the tide on to the sand-banks or rises ; 
walk too and fro on them, Avatching from the edge of the tide to about lOft. up the 
rise as some of the sand-living shells come out on tide’s turn. Some craAvl to meet 
the incoming tide, Avhile others lie on top of the san<l until the Avater reaches them. 
Here I have found (28) Lyria mitroifonnis, (29) Chione lagopus, (30) Tellina victoria 
and (31) albinella, (32) Mitra glabra, (33) Sigareius zonalis, (34) Glycimeris struilulans, 
(35) Solemya australis, (36) Cassis fimbriata, (37) Mactra ovalina, and (38) pura in 
beautiful form. As the incoming tide sends us back to the shore you will note 
some old piles standing erect i n the sand, examine these and you will find specimens 
of (39) Siphonaria dianiensis, (40) Modiola semivestita, and in the masses of Serpulse 
