“Hochstetteria pinctada n. sp. (Figs. 22, 23, 24).
Also pretty constant in shape, sub-trapezoidal, with almost straight sides, basal margin flatly convex, posterior truncation being long and straight (extending nearly whole length of shell, instead of restricted to a medial portion), dorsal margin long and straight, and the anterior side also practically straight, only a little excavated below beaks. Shell elongate and strongly oblique, much longer than wide. Beaks the most anterior part of the whole shell, projecting well beyond rest of anterior margin. Shell flattish, internal cavity small. Surface highly polished, usually without raised ridges, but with obscure darker patches indicating radiate riblets. Epidermis rather persistent, thin, horny-cuticular, and polished, well prolonged beyond margins, totally without imbricating lamellae, spines, or sculpture of any kind. Prodissoconch larger and much less tabular, not so much projecting.
Height, 5.6 mm.; breadth, 4.2 mm.; thickness (1 valve), 0.7 mm.
Locality—50 fathoms, 10 miles E.N.E. of Otago Heads, type and numerous other specimens; also 50 fathoms off Oamaru.
Type in Finlay collection.
This has a surprising miniature resemblance to the pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera.”
(Finlay, 1930: 245)
