THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST 
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and also its wide distribution, it has received many names. The species 
occurs over the whole coast line of Southern Australia, but is perhaps 
larger and more numerous in Tasmania ; it lives attached to the leaves 
of the large floating kelp. The interior is brilliantly nacreous or pearly, 
and this is the case also with the outside when the outer enamel is 
removed by acid, in which condition they are manufactured into various 
trinkets. A smaller species, C. irisodontes, Quay, has the same habitat 
and peculiarities, and is usually sold threaded in strings ; they were used 
in this manner also by the blacks, which shows that in some respects we 
are as much advanced as they were. 
Patella tramoserica, Martyn. This, our largest limpet, which may 
measure up to three inches across, is also widely distributed, but perhaps 
attains its largest size on our southern coasts. It was extensively taken 
by the blacks for food, but is now but little esteemed. The shell is 
occasionally used in the making of small objects, such as salt cellars, &c. 
Trigonia margaritacea, Lamk. This shell (the ‘ King cockle’) 
and its varieties is confined to southern Australian seas, but is more 
plentiful in Southern Tasmania than elsewhere. It has been called a 
‘living fossil/ and is of great scientific interest, as being a living rep¬ 
resentative of a large number of fossil forms, upwards of roo species of 
which are known. The genus was then very widely distributed in the 
world, many species being European. Jt is a most beautiful shell, the 
pearly interior being very brilliant, and is worked up into many ornaments 
and trinkets by jewellers, such as spoons, brooches, &c. 
Mytilus planulatus, Lamarck . Our common edible mussel, 
appears always attached to stone or submerged wood ; it was largely used 
as food by the blacks, and is in good demand for the same purpose at 
the present day. It is curious that very many mussels are inhabited by 
a small species of crab, which no doubt finds it a congenial home, although 
one would think it must be very close quarters. I suggest the relations 
between the crab and mussel would be worth investigation by members 
of this Club ; small pearls are also found in these shells. 
Ostrea angasi, Soiverky. The common edible or mud oyster, is 
the Southern representative of the European O. edulis, and is everywhere 
highly valued as a dainty luxury. In Tasmania it appears to be approach¬ 
ing extinction, many old beds having quite died out and others much 
reduced. Attempts at artificial culture have not so far been successful, 
one cause is probably the large quantity of mud washed into estuaries 
and bays since the cultivation of the land, but this would only have a 
partial application. In the days of the aboriginals they were widely 
distributed, large and plentiful, as is witnessed by the enormous shell 
heaps on many parts of our coast-line, in its young state the baby 
oyster is free swimming, but soon becomes attached to some object, 
usually a shell or small stone, from which it never moves of its own 
accord. 
* The Rev. T. Dove wrote — Tasm. Journ. Nat. Science I., 1842, p. 252. ‘A 
cluster of glistening shells was termed a Merrina.’ 
