PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
33 
that functionary “clean ground,” on which the fishermen shoot the spilliards lying 
between the Deer and Hard Islands, about five miles from land. When we got 
into twenty fathoms of water the dredges were thrown overboard, and soon I was 
gratified by obtaining Pectunculi associated with Venus cassina in considerable 
numbers, of large size, and finely coloured. However, we met with so many 
annoyances from the dredge becoming entangled in rocks, that we shifted more in¬ 
shore, to ground lying between the Hards and Innislacken Islands, and was 
astonished to find, on hard and clean sand, Pectunculi in such numbers that it was 
only a matter of time as to obtaining any number. I present for your inspection 
specimens of rich colouring and marking, small and large—the latter measuring 
nearly three and a half inches, being three quarters of an inch larger than those re¬ 
corded by Forbes and Hanley in their work on the British shells. Associated with 
Petunculus I found Venus cassina, Solecurtus candidus, and Cardium norvegicum. 
I can entertain no doubt that this is not only the natural habitat of the Pectunculus, 
but also of the other shells specified, particularly Cardium norvegicum ; and this 
may be fairly inferred by comparing them with the same shell found within the bay, 
the first being smooth and clean, with a bright citron colour, those within the bay 
presenting an ochreous, worn, and dead appearance. I can only account for this 
fact by supposing, that from the vast accumulation of animal matter thrown together 
on this bank gases are extricated which act on the shell, and thus produce the de¬ 
cayed appearance presented in those specimens. The same may be observed in the 
specimens of Venus cassina and Pectunculus found at the top of the bay in 1844. 
Gratified as I felt by the discovery of this interesting locality, my pleasure was 
greatly heightened by its affording a clue in solving my problem; for I ascertained 
that the current or drift which passed over this spot set directly into Berterbie Bay ; 
and the seamen told me that sometimes the power of the current is so great that it 
carries everything coming within its influence into the bay ; or, as they graphically 
described it by saying, “that it sucked up everything that came to its mouth,” 
from which it never returns; and from hence, I think, I may fairly conclude that I 
have obtained a correct solution of my problem ; for the mollusc dying the shell is 
disengaged from the position it held during life, and is carried directly by the current 
or drift into the bay ; and thus the bank increases daily in size, and ultimately will 
shallow the bay. Cardium norvegicum is subjected to the same process ; for it is 
evident that its natural habitat is on this spot—those found within the bay, as I 
pointed out, not presenting the same appearance of health as those externally. It 
may be instructive to remark, that the same association of shells found in Berterbie 
Bay is also found in Bantry Bay, and I entertain no doubt that when other bays 
have been investigated some singular results will be elicited. 
Having thus given an outline of the history of Pectunculus glycymeris, I beg to call 
the attention of the Society to an able paper, by the late Professor Edward Forbes, en¬ 
titled “The Geological Relations of the existing Fauna and Flora of the British 
Isles,” contained in the “ Memoirsof the Geological Survey of Great Britain.” In this 
paper he lays it down as an axiom, that all animals and plants have specific centres, 
from which the members of the family radiate by different processes. If it would 
not be considered very presumptuous in such an humble votary of science as myself, 
I might fairly conclude, from the great number, large size, and varied colouring, 
that if I have not reached the centre, I have, at least, come across a most flourishing 
colony of this interesting species. I shall take an early opportunity of again 
alluding to Professor Forbes’s paper. I think I would be guilty of great injustice if I 
did not bring the merits of the dredge on the table prominently forward—invented 
and manufactured by our fellow-citizen, Mr. Rochford. It was my good fortune to 
be possessed of this admirable instrument in my late visit to Connemara, and it is 
owing to its capability that I have the satisfaction of placing those fine specimens 
before the Society. I can safely say, that no naturalist will be disappointed in having 
it as his companion when at sea, and I consider that it must supersede all others. 
Doctor Farran then exhibited a splendid series of the Pectunculi in all stages 
of growth, and pointed out the several specimens, which, from different depths and 
positions in the bay, varied in size and in the beauty of their markings. He also 
exhibited fine specimens of Venus cassina, Cardium norvegicum, and Solecurtus 
candidus. 
