name given in Tasmania toa marine univalve mollusc, either Elenchus badius,or E. bellulus, Wood.
The Mariner is called by the Tasmanian FisheryCommissioners the «Pearly Necklace Shell» ; when deprived of itsepidermis by acid or other means, it has a blue or green pearlylustre.
The shells are made into necklaces, of which the aboriginal name is given as Merrina, and the name of the shellis a corruption of this word, by the law of Hobson-Jobson.Compare Warrener.
1878. `Catalogue of the Objects of Ethnotypical Art in theNational Gallery' (Melbourne), p. 52:
«Necklace, consisting of 565 shells ( Elenchus Bellulus)strung on thin, well-made twine. The native name of a clusterof these shells was, according to one writer, Merrina.»