Page:Beautiful·Shells·of·New·Zealand-Moss-1908.pdf/47

 or dark brown epidermis. It is found in the North Island, and attains a length of over one and a-half inches. It is a rock borer, and can bore into very hard rock. I have seen a small one that had bored into a thick Glycymeris shell.

VENERUPIS REFLEXA (Plate IX.).—Fig. 9 is a very irregular-shaped greyish shell, with prominent ridges on the outside. The interior is yellow, with a large blackish-purple patch. It is sometimes an inch in length, and is found in both Islands in the sand or mud, amongst rocks.

VENERUPIS ELEGANS (Plate IX.).—Fig. 10 is a white shell, with a white interior, and up to one and a-half inches long. The ridges on one end are very prominent. This shell is found only in the North Island.

DIVARICELLA CUMINGI (Plate IX.).—Fig. 11 (late Lucina dentata) is a milk-white shell, sometimes 1¼ inches in length. The grooves or furrows on the outside bend in the centre to almost a right-angle, giving it a peculiarly beautiful appearance, and making it easily recognisable. Found in both Islands on ocean beaches and in harbours.

VENERICARDIA AUSTRALIS (Plate IX,).—Fig. 12 (late Cardita australis) is a pale brownish-white shell, with prominent ribs. Sometimes the outside is marked and splashed with reddish-brown. The interior is white, with pink or rose-coloured patches. The shell is about one and three-quarter inches wirewide [sic]. It is found in both Islands attached to kelp roots, which usually discolour one end of the shell. The Maori name is Purimu.

CHIONE CRASSA (Plate IX.).—Fig. 13 (late Venus mesodesma) is a white or brown shell, one inch in length. It is found in large numbers on ocean beaches after a gale. The markings on it vary very much, and consist of radiating bands, or zigzag lines, of brown or purple brown. The interior is white, with a violet band round the margin.

TAPES INTERMEDIA (Plate IX.).—Fig. 14 is a brown or yellowish-white shell, with a white or grey interior. The young