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Show 1906.J MOLLUSKS FROM THE PERSIAN GULF. 80 7 OSTREA IMBRICATA Lam. P.G. & M.C. Very general, often found growing in colonies on the telegraph-cable, between 30 and 55 fathoms, mud. Ostrea iridescens Gray. P.G. On telegraph-cable, attaining a very large size. Ostrea (A l e c tr yo n ia ) tow nsend i Melv. P.G. At the entrance of the Gulf, the finest examples adhering to the telegraph-cable. Since this species was described (Mem. Mancli. Soc. vol. xlii. (1898) No. 4, p. 27, pi. ii. fig. 14), Mr. Townsend has forwarded many examples, mostly adhering in threes and fours together, from near Shaikh Shuaib Island and elsewhere. It is probably generally distributed, though somewhat local, and is undoubtedly, as already mentioned in our introductory remarks, probably the most beautiful and symmetrical species of Oyster known,both as regards shell-texture and delicate coloration. Fam. P ec t in id .e . A mussium caducum E . A . Sm ith . I. it: P.G. Karachi. Also dredged in the Gulf of Oman, 667-811 fathoms, by s.s. 4 Investigator ' (A7. A. Smith). Originally described from the Philippines (Rep. ‘ Challenger ' Exped., xiii. Lamellibr. p. 309, pi. xxiii. figs. 1-1 c). A mussium formosum Melvill, sp. n. (Plate LY. fig. 7.) A. testa parva, tenuissima, albicla, subpellucida, incequivalvi; vcdvct sinistra majore, fere Icevi, cost alls radiantibus evanidis, auricidis incequalibus, pulchre in utraque valva cancellatis; valva dextra sub lente concentrice delicatissime Ur at a ; pagina interna cost is ad 10-12 instruct a, hand ad marginem vcdvce sinistrce productis. Alt. 9, lat. 8‘50, diam. (valvce sinistrce maj.) 1 mm. flab. Persian Gulf: Gulf of Oman. Lat. 24° 58' N., long. 56J 54' E .; 156 fathoms. Allied to A. siebenrockii Sturany, but much smoother, with rudimentary radiating ribs only ; there is also no sign of cancellation on the left valve ; the right valve is much the smaller, and is microscopically concentrically lirate. The internal white ribs, ten to twelve in number, are not produced to the ventral margin, as is the case in A. siebenrockii. Many examples, but mostly in imperfect condition. Amussium s ie b e n r o c k i i Sturany. Amussium siebenrockii Sturany, Exped. S.M. Schiff ‘ Pola ' in das Rothe Meer (1899), p. 15, Taf. iv. figs. 5-8. P.G. Gulf of Oman. Lat. 24° 58' N., long. 56° 54' E. ; 156 fathoms, shell-sand. Some specimens prettily marked with opaque white and fawn-colour. P roc. Z ool. S oc.-1906, No. LIV. 54 |
