204 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Aug. 
Island Bay, Wellington, a Collecting-ground for Marine Algal Vegeta¬ 
tion,* by R. M. Laing, M.A., B.Sc. 
Island Bay is one of the best collecting-grounds in New Zealand for 
seaweeds. This is due to several causes, but the chief of these probably 
is the presence of a coastal shelf full of deep rock-pools, and running in 
many places for 100 yards or more out to the sea. In the pools, often 
10ft. to 15 ft. deep, many of the more delicate species flourish, and the 
heavy sweep of the tidal currents throws up the beach vast quantities of 
other species in the drift-weed. 
Though not so rich a collecting-ground as Melbourne Heads—perhaps 
the richest in the world—still a thorough investigation would probably 
yield a list of 250 species. At high-tide mark the usual cosmopolitan 
forms of Viva, Porphyra, Enteromorpha, and Bangia abound. In the 
shallower tidal pools are the fucoids, differing largely in genera and 
species, however, from those of the Northern Hemisphere. The monotypic 
Hormosira (H. Baxksii ),* with its strings of pale-brown beads, is sure to 
attract attention. With it are species of the southern genera Cystophora 
and .Carp ophy Hum (replacing the northern Sargassum). Fucus is entirely 
wanting. In deeper pools the Laminarians become more frequent, and 
are represented by Ecklonia, Lessonia, and the well-known Macrocystis , 
the last, however, usually forming a fringe in deeper water round the 
rocks. On the most exposed surf-beaten rocks are immense masses of 
the broad-banded leather-like kelp D' Urvillaea. 
The genera of the red seaweeds of the pools are the same as those on 
the English or American coast, but the species are usually different. 
Rhodomelas, Polysiphonias, Ceramiums, and Callithamnions abound. Here 
and there, however, the pools are carpeted with green species— e.g., 
Caulerpa sediodes and Lychaete Darwinii. Many Corallines, not unlike 
the European species, also occur. Generally speaking, there is a high 
percentage of endemic forms, a distinct subantarctic element (e.g., D’Urvil- 
laea, Adenocystis, Lessonia , Splachnidi'um), a number of Australian forms 
(e.g., Hormosira, Fucodium , Cystophora), and a few cosmopolitan types. 
Altogether, the Island Bay coast gives splendid opportunities for studies 
of the seaweeds, and provides unlimited material of many comparatively 
little-known species. 
Some North Auckland Marine Mollusca, by A. W. B. Powell, Auckland. 
The object of this note is to place on record a few observations on the 
Mollusca collected by myself while on a trip to Whangarei and the Bay 
of Islands in November, 1920. 
Cellana stellifera (Gmelin).—Large numbers of this species occur on 
the rocks at low water at Busby Head, Whangarei Heads. I collected 
sixty large specimens on one trip, the largest having a length of 72 mm., 
breadth 58 mm., and height 20 mm. 
Fossarina rimata Hutton.—While walking on the oyster-covered rocks 
at Tokitoki Point, Bay of Islands, I happened to dislodge some of the 
shells, and underneath found living specimens of the above species, and 
also some minute bivalves which I have not yet identified. 
* This note is reprinted from the Handbook for Scientific Visitors, Wellington, 1914, 
a booklet prepared in anticipation of a visit of members of the British Association. 
The number of copies of this publication printed and distributed was very small. 
