THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST. 
79 
of a beautifully constructed shell possessed by the ancestors of these 
animals. As regards internal structure the Mollusca are very highly 
developed. They have excellent digestive systems, well developed 
nervous systems, and possess in many cases eyes, balancing organs, and 
means of testing the quality of the water in which they live. The eyes 
of the cuttlefish are as good as the same organs in many of the higher 
vertebrates. 
In the digestive system, most of the higher Mollusca agree in 
having in the mouth a peculiar ribbon, studded with teeth like a rasp, 
by means of which they grind up their food or even bore holes through 
the shells of lower Mollusca to get at the animal inside. 
Dote on Voluta mamUla*— (Gray) 
1»y W. L. MAY. 
I* WISH to place on record the capture of a magnificent specimen of 
4, this fine shell It was taken on the i6th of January last on our 
beach, immediately South of May Point, by my son. The shell which 
contained the living animal, was in the edge of the water. I kept it alive 
for several days, but it did not expand to any extent. The shell which is 
quite adult, with the thickened and expanded lip, measures eleven and a 
half inches in length, and weighed, with the animal, five and a half 
pounds ; the shell alone weighs one pound fifteen ounces. 
'This specimen is one of the largest on record. The species must be 
extremely rare here, as I have never before seen even a dead, or broken 
one during over thirty years observation, and it is a shell that could not 
easily be overlooked. 
Sandford, 
March , /<?//. 
Certificates of Membership 
^TjliHESE Certificates have been issued, and any Member whose sub- 
4; scription is paid to date, and who has not received a Certificate, is 
requested to communicate with the Secretary. 
