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The Atoll of Funafuti, Ellice group : its zoology, botany, ethnology and general structure based on collections made by Charles Hedley of the Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.
Polyplacophera. — Tonicia Sp. (Fig. 59.)
Polyplacophera.
Tonicia Sp. (Fig. 59.)
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Fig. 59.
A single mutilated median valve of a Chiton was obtained at a depth of 150 fathoms off Beacon Islet (Funamanu). Such features as it has, point to an affinity with T. confossa, Gould. The rarity of this group in the Central Pacific renders the occurrence of this fragment noteworthy. Only six species were known to Harper Pease from the Central Pacific. In his last paper he stated that,—" The absence of Chitonidie from Polynesia has been noticed by authors as a remarkable fact, abounding as they do* in the surrounding provinces, especially on the west coast of America, at Australia and New Zealand."†
* The Chitons not the authors.
† Pease—Am. Journ. Conch., vii., 1872, p. 194.