if Re é mt ri No. IV.] FEBRUARY, 1875. [Vou I. THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL CONCHOLOGY, CONDUCTED BY W. NELSON AND JOHN W. TAYLOR. ConrTeEnTs. PACE ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS : Burrowing and Perforating Molluses—W. D. Surron . 49 Simultaneous Occurrence of Five Sinistral Examples of Helix Aspersa—JouHN E. DANIEL. : c ; . 5d Occurrence of Limneea glutinosa, near Sandwich—Mrs. J. Frrz- GERALD : : : c : : rales oy! Notes on the genus Cylindrella—C. P. Guoyne . : poe Bul List of Land and Freshwater Shells of Banbury, Oxon,— D. PrpGEon . : : - . : . 54 List of the Mollusca of the Birmingham District—G. SuERRIFF (laa : 3 ; 3 : = OF BIBLIOGRAPHY : : ‘ 5 ; p pio Rondon : ROBERT HARDWICKEHE, 192, PICCADILLY, W. Lereps: T. BARMBY, BookseLter, Briceate. PRICE SIXPENCE. Free by Post, 63d. Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 2s., Post Free. a Quarterly Journal of Conchologu. THE Introduction, published in the First Number, sufficiently explains the objects the Editors have in view; but it will, perhaps, not be superfluous to hope that every Conchologist who may be in possession of information, will freely communicate it, and thereby contribute his or her share to rendering the Journal a full and accurate record of the progress of the science which it is founded to promote. Any profits arising from the Journal will be devoted to its improvement ; and illustrations will be given when the interests of the Journal, and its pecuniary success, will admit. It is.requested that scientific and proper names be written distinctly and without abbreviation. No notice will be taken of anonymous contributions; and authors alone will be held responsible for the opinions expressed in their articles.. LOCAL CATALOGUES.—The Editors will be happy to receive communications of this nature, and still more so if carefully annotated, with full records of locality, relative abundance or scarcity, and such other informa- tion as will tend to give a correct idea of the fauna of the district. Prior to compiling a list of this kind, the Editors would feel much obliged by the author communicating with them with regard to the area and boundaries of the pro- posed district. This is requested with a view to ultimate tabulation of the records; and attention to this point would prevent much future uncertainty, REPRINTS.—Authors of Papers who may wish to possess additional copies of their articles, may have them on payment of the printer’s charges, as below (such reprints to be ordered within fourteen days of the publication of the Journal) :— 25 Copies, 4 pp. 5/6 .. Spp. 7/6 .. 12 pp, 10/6 .. 16 pp. 12/6 59 ” oS) 6/6 ase ” 9/- nes ” 12/- mea ” 15/- 100 ” ” 9/- ooo ” 11/- I ” 14/- ang, ” 17/- stitched in coloured *wrappers. . EXCHAN GH.—Notices of Exchange, not exceeding as in length, will be inserted free of charge. (ETESED, Limnea glutinosa; Planorbis albus; Helix revelata, rupestris, aculeata, fusca; Pupa Juniperi, angelica; Bulimus acutus, montanus; Clausilia biplicata; Cochlicopo tridens, dc. Wanted many of British Marine. J. B. Bripeman, Norwich. I WOULD like to make an extensive exchange of Land Shells with a scientific collector, in England or on the Continent. British and common European species, and ‘‘ dead” or imperfect shells not required. C. P. Gioynz, 3, Great George’s Street West, Cork. ADVERTISEMENTS will be inserted at the following rates :-— Bas Side Whole Page... .. .. 15 O | Quarter Page... .. .. 5 0 Half. 4) ee i<. 3. 8 6) Six lines or onder. <0 eae One-Third Page ... 6 6 | Every additional line... O 6 Communications for the Journal, Books for Review, Advertisements, Subscriptions, and orders for copies, to be sent to J, W. TAYLOR, 9, Wade Street, Leeds, to whom also Post-Office Orders should be made payable. THE OUARTERLY JOURNAL CONCHOLOGY. BURROWING AND PERFORATING MOLLUSCS. By W. D. SUTTON. Prominent amongst this class may be named the “Pholas Dac- tylus.” If an examination be made at low water of such portions of the chalky rocks and white cliffs of which this island is composed, more especially those portions which run well out to sea, they will frequently be found to be perforated with numerous holes, which run to a considerable depth, and vary considerably in their dimensions. These holes are made by that remarkable little animal the “ Pholas Dactylus.” Té does not appear to be clearly ascertained how the operation is performed, and it ig all the more wonderful how hard rocks and timber can be so perforated, seeing that the shell of the animal is by no means hard, and capable of acting asa file. How- ever, for the sake of argument, taking it for granted that the shell was used as a boring tool, then the hole made would be nearly circular, instead of, as is really the case, being accommodated to the shape of the shell. Few materials are proof against their ravages, and such hard substances ag oak, sandstone, limestone, or chalk, frequently form their habitations, and it is a well-known fact that such solid stone as the Plymouth breakwater was very soon attacked by these creatures. They are particularly obnoxious to the con- structors of wooden piers, and very soon reduce to a honeycombed state the submerged portions of the piles, and the only way to protect the same with any degree of immunity from their ravages is to drive iron nails closely into the submerged portions, and they will bid defiance to the Pholas, as they cannot pierce iron. The best method of obtaining good specimens of the shells is by splitting open the piece of rock, and thus extracting them without injury from the rocky homes where they have lived and died. A curious projection is observable in the interior of a perfect shell, in appearance somewhat resembling a spoon ; but what may bethe objectof this is somewhat per- plexing. The tube, which has been mentioned, generally consists of a composite organ composed of two tubes (or as they may be not inappropriately styled siphons), which are placed in close proximity together, resembling in principle a double-barrelled gun. The water which is necessary for their respivation passes through these tubes, E 50 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. drawn from thence over the gills, and are finally expelled from the other tube. Another mollusc, possessing the same boring propen- sities, and worthy of notice, is the “Z'eredo navalis,” commonly known as the ship-worm, somewhat resembling in its external appearance the “ Serpula ;’ so much so, that Linnzeus in his “ System of Nature,” placed the Teredo between the Serpula and Sabella. The reason why it bears the appellation of the ship-worm is because it has such a powerful appetite for submerged timber, and more par- ticularly so for ship timber. Frequently pieces of oak, the remains of some wreck, have been seen so completely devoured by the Teredo, that it is difficult to discover any portion of the wood that is thicker than any ordinary leaf. As in the case of the ‘‘ Pholas,” the only remedy to preserve the timber from their ravages is to have it either protected by closely driven in broad-headed nails, or covered with copper sheathing. The salt water, however, soon causes the nails to rust, and the whole of the timber is now covered with a thick coating of iron rust, which the Teredo appears to have a great dislike to. The common cockle-shell (Cardiwm edule) is an excellent delver, and armed with his natural spade, digs a hole for himself in the sand almost as fast as a man could dig with a metal spade. The cockle is not only a digger, but is likewise a jumper, and the same instrument which serves him as a spade to dig a hole in the sand, also serves him as a foot, by means of which he is enabled to make a spring into the air. Yet another burrowing shell, which can be picked up almost any day on any of our sandy beaches, and that is the Razor-shell (Solen ensis). ‘This creature burrows even deeper than the cockle, frequently being found at a depth of two feet. Generally, however, it prefers remaining sufficiently near to the surface to permit the tube just to protrude from the sand. The burrow in which the animal lives is almost perpendicular, and in it the Solen passes its entire life, sometimes ascending and sometimes descending ; for, bear in mind, it possesses none of those locomotive faculties with which its fellow delver, the cockle, is gifted. The activity of its movements compensates in some degree for its range of travel being somewhat circumscribed, and its habitation likewise so narrow. GosrortH GRoveE, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, November 18th, 1874. Simultanecus Occurrence of Five Sinistral Examples of Helix aspersa.—When JI was quite a small boy I was told to look out for a snail that turned the wrong way, meaning a sinistral form of elia aspersa. For forty years or upwards I never killed a snail of any kind without carefully examining it first, and was never successful. Butin the year 1865, a labourer working in Moss’s nursery gardens here (Epsom) found two examples, evidently only of that year’s growth, that is, they were about the size of large peas. I reared them to maturity under a glass shade. The following summer I found an adult example feeding on a cauliflower in the garden of my friend, the late Joseph Ward, Esq., and a fourth example I received from Little Bookham, a village about eight miles from this place; and the following winter Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 51 one was sent to me, an empty, dead shell, but quite in fresh condition’ found in an hedge near Uppingham, Rutland. Here we have five examples of a rather abnormal form, all occurriig in the same year and in different localities. Many people would no doubt say they were found, owing to extra diligence in search; nor did it occur to me to look for any other cause, until this summer my attention was attracted to an analogous case in the vegetable kingdom. In the guceu- lent house, at Kew, I noticed a form of Haworthia tepulata, marked as var. asperica. It was a solitary specimen. In the course of a few days I met with a single specimen in two private gardens; here I was able to trace with some degree of certainty whence they came. I entertain no doubt that they were portions of a batch of seedlings raised in ‘one of the most emincnt private gardens in the country. I returned to my own garden much dis- satisfied that I was unable to procure a specimen, when, upon examining a lot of seedlings raised from seed of my own saving, I discovered what I considered an identical plant. Now, what I wish to call the attention of your readers to is the fact of the simultaneous appearance of these forms in different localities, and to ask if any of them can give a satisfactory theory for these occurrences, No doubt many of your correspondents are interested in other branches of Natural History, and have noticed similar cases, and well considered the subject. The only idea I can form is, that it must be due to atmospherical or electrical effects—Joun E. Dantet, 6, The Terrace, Epsom, December 28th, 1874. Limnea glutinosa Miil/er.—At Sandwich, during last autumn, [ found this species in a ditch near Sandwich in tolerable plenty. The peculiarity about it was, that it was rather smaller in size and of a darker colour than usual. Several of my conchological friends have told me that their experience has been that they float at or very near the surface of the water. In this instance the water was of con- siderable depth, and they were at the bottom, I suppose crawling on the mud, so that it entailed the necessity of a species of dredging to procure them, Perhaps if this shows their usual habits, it may account for the rarity of their occurrence.—[Mrs.] J. Firzcrraxp, Folkestone, December 15th, 1874. NOTES ON THE GENUS CYLINDREILA (PFELFFER.) By C. P. GLOYNE., The generic division now known under this name was originally founded in 1828 by the Rev. L. Guilding (a naturalist of great attainments, and to whom we owe some of the first light thrown on the hitherto neglected subject of West Indian Conchology) under the name of Brachypus. Guilding seems, however, to have been un- fortunate in the choice of names, as both Brachypus and Siphonos- toma, to which he changed the name in 1840, had been previously used in zoology, and Pfeiffer’s name, Cylindrella, also dating from 1840, must therefore be employed. 52 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. The species considered as typical by Guilding was the C. costata (Brachypus), Guilding, from Barbadoes, an elongated many-whorled shell, with an entire, nearly circular aperture, and truncated at the apex, and the genus as defined by Pfeiffer was distinguished from Pupa by the peristome being continuous and detached, or nearly so, and from Clausilia, which some of the species somewhat resemble in shape, by the absence of the clausilium. In his first edition (Men. Heliceorum IT., pp. 368—386), published in 1848, Pfeiffer enumerates 50 species, chiefly from Cuba and Jamaica, with a few from the other West India Islands and from Mexico and Texas. To the genus so constituted species continued to be added from time to time, but the geographical area in which the genus was known was scarcely, if at all, extended. The majority of the new species were found by Adams and Clutty in Jamaica, and by Gundlach in Cuba. The numbers increased so much, that in 1868 223 species were catalogued. In the meantime various subgeneric divisions were proposed, some of them destined to stand either as genera or subgenera, but others merely artificial; but it was not till the animals, as well as the shells, had been studied, that any certain basis was obtained for alterations in the genus. The anatomy of Cylindrella has been studied chiefly by Messrs. A Bland, Crosse, and Fischer, and the result has been briefly this :— 1. All the large Mexican species of the type of C. grandis (Pfeiffer) have parallel rows of teeth of the usual type in Helicide, and a solid horny jaw, with some fine strie. These form the genus Eucalodium (Crosse and Fischer), and are true Helicide. The species are confined,to Mexico and Guatemala. 2. The rather small thick species, not truncated at the apex, and of a cretaceous aspect, such as C. Pélocerei (Pfeiffer) have also horizontal rows of teeth, and the jaw is thin and not striated. These are also true Helicide, and for them v. Martens’ sub-genus Holospira has been raised into a genus, after the exclusion of certain species, such as Apiostoma, which are true Cylindrelle. 3. The anomalous shell from Lower California, first described as Clausilia Taylori, and atterwards called a Cylindrella, has been shown to have horizontal rows of teeth, and aribbed jaw. It forms at present the only known species of the genus Berendtia (Crosse and Fischer). = 4, The remaining species are all distinguished by teeth of a peculiar palmate form, arranged obliquely on each side of the median line, and by a very thin jaw with numerous transverse ribs, of. which the two median ones enclose a V shaped space. The same characters are found in Macroceramus, a genus conchologically also very similar to Cylindrella. Messrs. Crosse and Fischer have there- fore formed out of these genera the family Cylindrellide. They also express an opinion that there will be reason to separate as a distinct genus the section Zia (Albers). In this-I quite concur. The species of Zza are distinguished from the rest of the Cylindrellida, ; 7 7 4 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 53 not only by their smooth polished surface, but by their purely arboreal habits. L. J/augeri (Wood), the commonest and best known species, is exceedingly abundant in Jamaica on pimento trees. Another section will also, I think, have to be raised into a genus —Casta (Albers). This consists of three Jamaica species—aquesiana (Adams), elongata (Chem.) and gracilis (Wood), which differ from the rest of the genus by their sinistral volution, pure white colour, and more particularly by being viviparous. ‘They all have similar habits, being found sticking, like so many spikes, on rocks and stone walls, on the lichens clothing which they feed. I have personally ascer- tained both their viviparity and the nature of their food. The genus Zia, it should be mentioned, contains ten species— eight from Jamaica and two from Haiti. The genus Cylindrella, after the separation of all these new genera, still remains very rich in species, numbering nearly 200. Its distribution becomes still more largely West Indian. To this, however, there is one curious exception, Cyl. Cumingiana (Pfeiffer), from the Philippines. As this species, however, is only known by its shell, and even that differs from the rest of the genus in being umbilicated, it is doubtful whether it really belongs to Cylindrella. The most remarkable forms in the restricted genus are :— 1. The rosea group. These are thick pupiform shells, of large size for the genus, and varying in colour from light pink to dark purple. The peristome is often more or less attached to the last whorl. In external characters they are Hucalodia in miniature. They are chiefly Jamaican. 2. The Brooksiana group. These are remarkable for the inordi- nately long detached tube into which the last whorl is pro- longed. The extreme is found in C. Brooksiana (Gundlach), in which the tube is more than half the length of the rest of the shell, but the character exists in more moderate proportions in C. angustior (Wright) and others. All these species are from Cuba. 3. C. Elliotti, (Poey), from Cuba, is covered with hollow spines or tubes, in a manner that reminds one of. Choanopoma echinus and hystrix, from the same island. This is one of the most peculiar of all known land-shells, and good specimens, with the white spines brought into relief by the chocolate ground-colour of the shell, are wonderfully beautiful. One peculiarity of the genus, to which there are but few excep- tions, is the decollation of the spire. As the mollusk attains maturity, the animal deserts the upper whorls of the shell, and these almost invariably get broken off, and it is therefore necessary when describing a Cylandrella to state whether the number of whorls is that of an entire shell, or after decollation. This peculiarity is shared by Costa, Lia, and Hucalodium. Several species of Cylindrella have peculiar revolving lamellz on the columella. The true Cylindrelle are not arboreal. Many of them, especially of the rosea group, are chiefly found on the ground amongst dead 54 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. leaves, &c., whilst others, as for instance, C’. seminuda (Adams) from Jamaica, and C. T'rinitaria (Pfeiffer) from Trinidad, are similar in their habits to Costa, and love to decorate rocks and walls with their projecting points. IT would mention in conclusion the genus Cwlocentrum, lately proposed by Miell, Crosse, and Fischer. With all due respect to the opinion of those distinguished naturalists, I consider that similar as ~ the species are to /wcalodiwm in every other respect, the hollow axis is not of itself a sufficient character to warrant a generic separation. Those who desire further information respecting this interesting genus and its allies, are referred to Crosse and Fischer’s paper in the Journal de Conchyliologie for 1870, to the same author's “ Etudes sur les Mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles du Mexique,” now in course of publication, to various important papers by Mr. Bland in American publications, and as for all other genera of Helicide, to Dr. Pfeiffer’s great work, ‘‘ Monographia Heliceorum.” A LIST OF THE LAND AND FRESHWATER SHELLS FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE. By D. PIDGEON. The localities from which the following shells were procured lie, for the most part, within a radius of three miles from the town of Banbury, in Oxfordshire, the exceptions being Edgehill, about seven miles, and Charlbury, about 16 miles distant. At the former place (famous as the site of*the battle of Edgehill) there is much wood, harbouring many species of Helix, while the latter locality is notable for the abundance, within somewhat narrow local limits, of Helix pomatia. Geologically, the district comprises the Lower, Middle, and Upper Lias, the Northampton Sand, and the inferior and great Oolite. The freshwater species are obtained chiefly from the river Cherwell, a small and sluggish stream which cuts, within the district examined, the Lias formation only, and a section of the Oxford and Birmingham Canal. Although it has now been conclusively shown that the supposed connection between Roman remains and the occurrence of Helix pomatia is purely fanciful, it is worthy of remark that a fine example of the Roman Villa stands at a short distance from the spot near Charlbury, where this snail abounds. Spherium corneum.—River Cherwell, abundant. Spherium rivicola.—River Cherwell, abundant and fine. Spherium lacustre.—River Cherwell, less abundant. Pisidium amnicum.—River Cherwell, abundant. pisidium fontinale —River Cherwell, abundant. Unio tumidus.—River Cherwell. Unio pictorum.—River Cherwell. eT ee Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 55 Anodonta cygnea.—River Cherwell, and Oxford Canal. Anodonta anatina.—River Cherwell, and Oxford Canal. Dreissena polymorpha.—Oxford Canal, lining the banks in myriads, and forming the frequent food of the water rats, who leave the empty shells in heaps upon the canal banks. Neritina fluviatilis —On stones, River Cherwell. Paludina vivipara.—River Cherwell and Oxford Canal. Bythinia tentaculata.— River Cherwell and Oxford Canal,abundant on Anacharis alsinastrum. Bythinia Leachiit.—Oxford Canal, not abundant. Valvata piscinalis.—River Cherwell, covering the mud on sunny shallows. Valvata cristata.—Ditches running into River Cherwell, in the axils of water weeds. Planorbis nitidus.—River Cherwell, very scarce. Planorbis albus.—River Cherwell,on Anacharis and underside of Lily leaves. Planorbis spirorbis.— Oxford Canal, scarce. Planorbis vortex.— River Cherwelland Oxford Canal, abundant on weeds, Planorbis cariratus — River CherwellandOxford Canal, preferring large ditches to the river. Planorbis complanatus.— River Cherwell and Oxford Canal, pre- ferring large ditches to the river. Planorbis corneus.—River Cherwell and Oxford Canal. Planorbis contortus.—Ditches running into River Cherwell in axils of weeds. Physa hypnorum.— River Cherwell; very scarce amongejectamenta. Physa fontinalis.—River Cherwell, very abundant on A nacharis. Limnza peregra.—A bundant everywhere ; several varieties occur. Limuea auricularia.—River Cherwell, very fine and abundant. Limnea stagnalis.—River Cherwell, very fine and abundant. Limnz. palustris.— River Cherwell, preferring the oozy shores to the river, Limnza trancatula.—River Cherwell, covering the shores in myriads. Ancylus flaviatilis— River Cherwell, but always on stones. Ancylus lacustris.— River Cherwell, stemsand leaves of water plants, lily leaves, especially in company with P. albus. Succinea putris.—River Cherwell and Canal, abundant, but small. Vitrina pellucida.—Edgehill, Draper's Road, Broughton Road, under dead leaves. Zonites cellarius.—Common everywhere, but not large. Zonites alliarius.—Edgehill and general, Zonites nitidulus.—Not uncommon everywhere. Zonites purus.—Edgehill, scarce. Zonites crystallinus.—Edgehill, abundant among dead leaves. Zonites fulvus.—Edgehill, abundant among dead leaves. Helix aculeata.—Edgchill, among dead leaves ; very scarce. 56 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. Helix pomatia.—Charlbury, on the grassy banks of the railway cutting. Helix pomatia v. albida.—Charlbnry, on the grassy banks of the railway cutting, The strata here are entirely Oolitic. Helix aspersa.—LEverywhere abundant. Helix nemoralis.—Every where abundant. Helix arbustorum.—Cropredy Canal bank, abundant close to the Canal bridge, but exceedingly local, giving place to H. nemoralis within the space of 100 yards. Its presence may possibly be deter- mined by an abundant growth of Angelica Sylvestris at this spot, on which it is found. Helix arbustorum v. flavescens. Belix arbustorum v. alpestris. Helix Cantiana.—Charlbury, on Great Oolite. Helix rufescens.—Common everywhere; very fond of violet leaves. Helix concinn2.—Among nettles, canal banks. Helix hispida.—Everywhere, especially the canal banks. Helix virgata.—Canal banks, Ist lock; the soil here is heavy Tias clay. This shell becomes abundant as soon as the brash soils and the Oolite is approached. Helix caperata.—Very scarce in a Middle Lias or Marlstone quarry. Ihave only taken two or three specimens in all. Helix ericetorum.—Canal bank, 1st lock (as virgata). This shell occurs only sparingly here, and I have never seen it elsewhere on the clay soils. Helix rotundata.— Edgehill, abundant under stones. Helix rupestris.—Edgehill, on old walls. Helix pygmza.—Edgehill, not uncommon, when properly searched for, on dead leaves when they have accumulated so as to be nearly knee deep. : Helix pulchella.—Edgehill, canal banks ; scarce. Bulimus obscurus.—Hdgehill, under stones, and sometimes crowd- ing in a young state the bark of the beech trees. Pupa umbilicata.— Edgehill, in old walls. Pupa marginata,— Edgehill. Vertigo edentula.—A single specimen, Edgehill. Balia perversa.—Hdgehill, not uncommon in an old wall, but very local ; rarely on trees. ee rugosa.— Edgehill, Newbottle, on beech trees and in old walls. Cochlicopa lubrica.— Not uncommon in the rejectamenta of the Cherwell, dead ; living, but scarce, Edgehill. . Cochlicopa tridens.—Though occurring abundantly at Knowle, in Warwickshire, about thirty miles distant, is not found here. Achatina acicula.—In a marlstone quarry, Oxford Road. Carychium minimum.—Very abundant in the same locality, and associates with H. pygmea, Z. fulvus, and Z. crystallinus ; Edgehill. _ It will be noticed that the slugs are omitted from the above list. Many occur, but they have never been noted by me. It } Both occur in same place. Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 57 would be presumptuous on my part to suggest that the above list exhausts the district, but I may be permitted to remark that of the following shells the greater part appear to ke undoubtedly absent. In this list I do not of course include shells having special loeali- ties, as H. obvuluta, H. Pisana, L. involuta, U. margaritifer, &c., &e. Faludina contecta. Helix fusca. Planorbis lineatus. Helix lapicida. Limneza glutinosa, Bulimus montanus. Limnea glabra. Pupa secale. Zonites radiatulus. Clausilia laminata. Zonites nitidus. Clausilia biplicata. Zonites excavatus. Acme lineata. Helix cartusiana. Patgnvon, Devon, January 8th, 1875. MOLLUSCA OF BIRMINGHAM AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. By G. SHERRIFF TYE. There are 310 species and varieties of Mollusks described as inhabiting Great Britain :— 46 species 91 varieties, Fluviatile. gs ie ae 95 cS Terrestrial. Total, 124 186 There are included in the following list 151 species and varieties, NAvA . 38 species 45 varieties, Fluviatile. 44, 24. MA Terrestrial. Total, 8: 69 Thus it will be seen we have nearly 50 per cent. of the whole number. Taking into consideration the species inhabiting exclusively maritime situations, and such as are restricted to one known locality, varieties dependent upon peculiar situations and others which are the result of accident, we shall find that our district (which includes a portion of the counties of Warwick, Stafford, and Worcester,) offers a good “hunting ground” to the collector. All the species enumerated are—with the exception of Helix virgata,* H. Cantiana, and Balea perversa—confined within a circle of ten miles radius, taking Birmingham for its centre. These species have not hitherto been met with within this boundary, and we have thought it best to include them, as the outlying district is being “worked,” and we know not where else their existence will be re- corded. In any future tabulation of the “localities” of the Mollusca bo * Helix virgata. One dead shell was found in a*sandstone quarry at Selly-Oak, although any other evidence of its ever having existed there cannot be found, 58 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. inhabiting this country (which, if fortune favours this journal, we hope its able editors will some day make) it will be for them to eliminate or add to, as they think best. Many species once flourishing within the above limits are fast dying out, succumbing to the murky atmosphere and altered ground of the ‘‘ Black Country,” and will have to be looked for “ farther afield.” Among these may be mentioned Helix ericetorum* and H. caperata, once abounding at Dudley and in the neighbourhood, as. evidenced by their dead shells. Helix aspersa, H. nemoralis, H. arbustorum, Clausilia laminata, and Bulimus obscurus, once common in the same locality, show signs of a rapidly approaching end. Singular to relate, this section of the district, while made so de- structive to land mollusks, has become eminently suitable for aquatic species. Where, in days gone by, little water existed now literally swarms with ponds and dykes, formed by the water pumped from “pits,” in which flourish the Limnaide, Unionide, and Spheride, in many cases enjoying an immunity from frost,t and so having a better chance of existence than others in less favoured localities. Dr. J. Gwyn Jefireys, whose extensive knowledge enables him to speak with authority upon the subject, says:—‘‘In local lists of Mollusca, and even in more elaborate works on this subject, it has been the custom to state that the habitat of certain species is restricted to ‘calcareous soils,’ ‘oolitic formations,’ ‘limestone,’ ‘ chalk,’ ‘ trap,’ and other strata. I believe, however, that mineralogical conditions have very little to do with the habitat of any of the Mollusca, nor with their comparative abundance or scarcity in any locality, except so far as food, moisture, or shelter, as well as the secretion of their shells is concerned.” : Although quite agreeing with these remarks, we may be allowed to add that a collector will have a greater chance of finding such species as Helia lapicida, H. ericetorum, H. virgata, Cyclostoma elegans, and others in a limestone district than in a locality where it does not exist (except near the sea, where Mollusks appear to exist upon any kind of soil), although cf course it does not necessarily follow that he will not find them in other formations ; indeed, examples are by no means uncommon in our district proving such to be the case. The district round Birmingham lies chiefly upon the sandstones, with large tracts of limestone and Lias, and is alike favourable to the existence of land and fluviatile species. Mr. Garner} includes in his list of the Mollusca Helia lapi- cida, H. lamellata, Zonites excavatus, Succinea oblonga, Clausilia biplicata, Cl. rugosa var dubia, Limnea glutinosa, and Valvata cristata. Although the existence of some of these is doubtful, I feel * Helix ericetorum is mentioned as being common by Mr. Garner in 1844, and not so rare as H. virgata in the county of Stafford. H. virgata is common on the limestone forma- tions of Warwickshire, while H, ericetorwm has occurred but rarely. + Gold Fish used to breed in the “Black Country,’ in pools where the water is kept from freezing by warm water from the engines constantly running in, I believe they breed now in the North of England under similar circumstances. ¢} Nat. Hist. of the County of Stafford, by Robert Garner, F.L.S., London, 1844, Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 59 sure that others of them will yet be added to our list, and it will be interesting to know that they still exist in the Midland Counties. I may add, in conclusion, that one variety, Planorbis glaber var compressa, described by Mr. R. M. Lloyd in the first number of this Journal (p 7), is not included in the list, the locality from whence it came not being known. It was bred in an aquarium, to which it was brought on weed in its ovoid or very young state. Tt will only be doing bare justice to Mr. Nelson to say that during his residence in Birmingham, extending over a period of nine years, he worked actively and perseveringly in collecting the Mollusca of Birmingham, and to him is due the addition of many species and varieties which, but for his love of the science of Conchology, would have been unrecorded to this day. HANDSWoRTH, January, 1875. Spherium corneum Common everywhere var. 1. flavescens... Plant’s Brook, Minworth 3. Scaldiana... Canal, Acock’s Green 4 rivicola oe ... Canals, Acock’s Green ; Newton Road ; Wood Green, near Wednesbury 43 ovale ... oe ... Canals, Acock’s Green ; Newton Road 5 lacustre ey ... Hall Green ; Stechford ; Perry Barr Pisidium amnicum Lat. ... Sutton Park; Canal, Acock’s Green ; Plant’s Brook. ,, fontinale var. 1. Henslowana Hall Green ,, 2. pulchella ... Stony Lane, Moseley , 4. cinerea ... Ditch, Smallheath; Pond, near Stechford » pusillum Perry Barr ; Alum Rock ; Stony Lane var. 1. obtusalis ... Pool, Plant’s Brook, near Minworth » niditum ae .. Ditch, Sparkhill Unio tumidus ae ... Birmingham and Warwick Canal ; Pool, Plant’s Brook; Coleshill var. 1, Radiata ... Aston; Plant’s Brook; R. Blythe, Coles- nll +; pictorum so ... Plant’s Brook; R. Blythe, Coleshill ; Dog Pool, Pershore Road; Kings- wood var, 3. latior ... Pool, ‘‘Penns,” near Sutton Coldfield Anodonta cygnea he ... Plant’s Brook; Pool, Sutton; Canals, Bourne Brook, &c., &c. var. 1. radiata ... R. Tame, Aston; Penns, near Sutton ,, 2. inerassata... Plant's Brook, near Minworth ,, 3. Zellensis ... Pool, Sandwell Park » 4 . pallida ... Sandwell Park Te ... Dog Pool, Pershore ‘Road ; Penns ; Plant’s Brook; Sutton Park var. 1. radiata ... Lodge Pool, near Sutton Coldfield ; Barr Park; R. Blythe, Coleshill 5, 2. ventricosa.., BR. Tame, Aston; Lodge Pool ay anatina 60 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. Dreissena polymorpha Neritina fluviatilis Paludina vivipara var. 1. unicolor Bythina tentaculata var. 1. Li) 9) 3 5 » 9 albida 7 Leachii na Valvata piscinalis var. 1. depressa Planorbis nitidus a nautileus var. 1. cristata ¥; albus... bat re var. 1. Draparnaldi 3 glaber se i a spirorbis aA vortex As ae var. 1. compressa... 3 carinatus Pe eee var. 1. disciformis .. na complanatus x. corneus 5 contortus Physa hypnorum », tfontinalis Ms var. l. inflata », 3 oblonga Limnea peregra Sc var. 4, ovata >» o acuminata . , 6. intermedia... », 7. oblonga », & labiosa », 12. decollata oa », 14. scalariformis ae auricularia ventricosa... . decollata ... . excavata ... Canals, Smethwick and Bourne Brook ; Pool, Bescot; R. Tame, Aston, &c. River Tame, Aston Canals, Bourne Brook ; Acock’s Green ; Smethwick, Kingswood Kingswood Common everywhere Alum Rock, Saltley Sutton Park ; Witton; Smallheath ; Maxtoke Alum Rock, Saltley Alum Rock, Saltley Plant’s Brook, Minworth Stechford ; Bourne Brook ; Knowle ; Aston; Sutton, &c. Plant’s Brook Smallheath ; Hall Green, Alum Rock, &e. Hall Green; Elmdon; near Acock’s Green : 1 ” &e. Common Smallheath; Stechford Sutton ; Hagley Road ; Witton near Stechford; near Elmdon; King’s Heath, &c., &e. Common everywhere Smallheath Common and distributed Titterford ; Sutton-Coldfield Moderately common everywhere Castle Bromwich ; Forge Mills ; Bescot ; Stony Lane ; Albion Stechford ; Coleshill; Treeford ; Ham- stead Sparkhill; Alum Rock; Stoney Lane ; King’s Heath, &c. Bourne Brook; Stechford; Aston, &c. Acock’s Green ; Sutton ; Forge Mills Handsworth Sparkhill Sutton Park ; Solihull, &c., &c. Perry Barr Common Marsh, Hamstead Sutton Park Sparkhill ; near Broomsgrove, Lickey Sutton-Coldfield Dog Pool, Pershore Koad; Plant’s Brook ; R. Tame; Perry Barr ; Sutton ; Pebble Mill Pool, &e. Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 61 Limnea stagnalis Common everywhere var. 1. fragilis ... Newton Road, near West Bromwich ; King’s Heath ,, 3. labiata ... Smallheath 5 palustris on ... Moderately common and distributed var. 1. corvus ... Treeford ; Coleshill ,, 2 elongata .., Perry Barr » 2 tincta ... Sutton Park », 5. roseo-labiata Acock’s Green ; King’s Heath » 6. decollata ... Pool, near Stratford Road €. truncatula ae ... Stechford; Selly Oak; Smallheath ; Perry Barr, &e. var. !, major ... Sparkhill; Greet ; King’s Heath 2. elegans ... King’s Heath ; Alum Rock glabra Ditch, Stratford Road; Acock’s Green var. 1, elongata ... Bo » ” Ancylus fluviatilis xe ... Common in streams var. 1. capuloides.., Stream, near Acock’s Green ; R. Cole, Stratford Road 3. albida ... Aston sy lacustris. a3 _.. Acock’s Green; Smallheath ; Aston var. 1. compressa... near Stechford pee albids ... Plant’s Brook BIBLIOGRAPHY. The following articles appear in No. 3 of the “J ournal de Con- chyliologie,” July, 1874. Pages 284-322 are devoted to Paleontology and Bibliography. Crossz, H.—Faune malacologique terrestre et fhuviatile de Vile Rodriguez (terrestrial and fluviatile malacological fauna of the Island of Rodriguez), pp. 221—242. A complete list of the land and freshwater shells of the island, founded on the researches of M. A. Desmazures, who explored it for three months; and as its extent is but small, probably collected nearly every species, There are 24 species in all, and the following are described as new :—Gonospira metableta, Cr. (Pl. vii. f. 5); G. Rodriguezensis, Cr. (Pl. viii. f. 6); G@. Chloris, Cr. (Pl. vii. f (is Pupa Desmazuresi, Cr. (Pl. viii. £. 3); P. Lienardiana, Cr. (Pl. vin. f. 4); Helix Rodriguezensis, Or. (Pl. viii. f£. 1) ; Succinea Nevilli, Cr. (Pl. viii. f. 2); Planorbis Rodriguezensis, Cr. (Pl. viii. f. 8); Cyclos- toma hemastomum, Anton, var. Rodriguezensis, Cr. ; C. Desmazurest, Cr. (Pl. viii. f£. 9); Omphalotropis teniata, Cr. (Pl. vit. f, 12): O. Littorinula, Cr. (P1. viii. f. 10) ; O. Hameliana, Cr. (PI. vine WL): Monyrerosato (The Marquis of).—Recherches Conchyliologiques effectuées au cap Santo Vito en Sicile (Conchological researches at Cape Santo Vito, Sicily), pp. 243—282. An account of species dredged at a depth of 200 métres=110 fathoms near Cape Santo Vito, on the N.W. coast of Sicily. 62 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 232 species are enumerated, including Crenella wrenaria, Martin, MS. ; Montacuta tumidula, Jeffreys (a recent addition to the Mediter- ranean fauna); Saxicava rugosa, Linné, var arctica, L.; Otreulus Jeffreysi, Mte. R.; Rissoa electa, n. sp.; Skenea pellucida, n. sp. ; Scalaria hispidula, Mte. R. ; Cioniseus gracilis, J effreys, MS. ; Pyra- midella minuscula, Mte. R.; Odostomia Brugnoni, Mte. R.; O. flecuosa, Jeffreys, MS.; Hulima curva, J etfreys, MS. ; Cerithiopsis horrida, Jeftreys, MS.; C. diadema, Watson, MS. ; &. tiara, ibid. ; Marginella occulta, Mte. R.; Amphisphyra quadrata, n. sp. ; Philine striatula and Monterosat’, Jeffreys, MS. Crosse (H.) and Fiscuer (Dr. P.)—Diagnoses Molluscorum reipublicee Mexicane incolarum—pp. 283, 284. Diagnoses of Bulimulus Cuernavacensis and Choanopoma Sumi- chrasti, Cr. and F. These species will doubtless be described and figured in future parts of Messrs. Crosse and Fisher’s magnificent work on the Mollusca of Mexico and Guatemala, now in course of publication by the French Government. The following errata occur in the Notice of Nos. 1 and 2 of the “ Journal de Conchyliologie” in last Quarterly Journal :—p. 39, line 48, for “ Rarasuna,” read “ Karasuna ;” p. 40, line 23, for “ Ceto- poma,” read “ Otopoma ;” p. 41, line 4, M. Crossx’s name should. not have been prefixed, the species are described by Heupe. “ Calédonie” and “Calédonien” should be everywhere substituted for “ Calédonie” and “ Calédonien.’—C.P.G. The fourth number of the “Journal de Conchylilogie for 1874 contains the following articles :— H. Crossz and KE, Mariz.—Catalogue des Cénes de la Nouvelle Caledonie et des iles qui en dépendent (Catalogue of the species of Conus, from New Caledonia and the adjacent islands), pp. 333—359. A catalogue of 84 species with precise localities, The authors remark that only the Philippines are equally rich, and that the poverty of the fauna of Australia is a remarkable contrast to the wealth of New Caledonia in this genus. Most of the species are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific province ; but others, as C. Crosseanus, Bernardi, C. Vayssetianus, Crosse, O. Coeline, Cr., C. Lienardi, Bernardi and Crosse, are peculiar to the Archipelago. C’. Crosseanus, Bernardi, can always be distinguished from C. marmoreus, Lin., by the very dark brown, distant, transverse streaks of the last whorl; these are always found in the former, and never in the latter species. The venomous properties of C. textile are confirmed. An eye- witness relates that a native bitten by one of these cones suffered a considerable swelling of the bitten hand, and the corresponding arm, which lasted for some time, and was accompanied by very severe pain. This article is illustrated by two plates (PL. xiii. and xiv.) repre- senting the opercula of 23 species of cones. li Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 63 T. pr Monrrrosato (The Marquis of).—Recherches Conchylio- logiques effectuées au cap Santo Vito, en Sicile—Supplement (Con- chological researches at Cape Santo Vito, Sicily—Supplement), pp. 359--364. A supplement to the article in last number, 26 additional species are enumerated. LiscHkeE (Dr. U. E.)—Observations sur le Meroe eacavata Hanley, et les espéces voisines (Observations on J/, excavata Hanley, and the allied species), pp. 364—366. M. menstrualis, Meuke, and M. magnifica, Reeve, are only synonymous of J. excavata, Hanley, Sowerby, & Reeve (nec Roemer,) founded on more fully grown specimens. M. vaginasis, Meuke, is a distinct species, and is from Australia, whereas MM. excavata is from Japan. H. Crossr.—Addition au Catalogue des espéces du genre Meroe (addition to the Catalogue of the species of the genus Meroe), pp. 367, 368. A. rectification of the catalogue at page 89, in accordance with the previous article. P. Fischer (Dr.)—Note sur le Sepia officinalis, Linné, de la Méditerranée (Note on the Mediterranean Sepia officinalis, L.), pp. 368, 369. The above species does not really occur in the Mediterranean, the cephalopod from that sea known under that name beign the S. Filliovazi. SS. oficinalis is purely an Atlantic species. A. Laront.— Description d’un nouveau genre de Nudibranche des cdtes de France (Description of a new genus of Nudibranchs from the coast of France), pp. 369, 370. The new genus Drepana is related to Thecacera, Polycera, and especially Ancula. The species described is D. fusca, Lafont, found under the spat- collecting tiles of the Arcachon oyster-beds. H, Crosse.—Description dun Pupina nouveau d’ Australie (Description of a new Australian Pupina), pp. 370, 371. P. Pettardi, Cr., from Cookstown, Endeavour river, N.E. Aus- tralia, near P. Coat Morel. A. Moretet.—Description d’un Achatina nouveau du Gabon (Description of a new Achatina from the Gaboon), p. 372. dA. Vignoniana, Morelet. P. Fyscuer (Dr.)—Diagnoses specierum novarum (Diagnoses of new species), pp. 372 —374. Diagnoses of Z'rochus (Monodonta) zeus, T. (M.) vermiculatus, and T. fanuloides, probably in anticipation of the monograph of the genus in the continuation of Kiéner’s Iconographie, which Dr. Fischer has undertaken. LamBert (Rey. F'.)—Deseription d’un Stematella provenant de la 64 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. Nouvelle Calédonie (Description of a Stomatella from New Caledonia), . 374. S. granosa, Lambert. Gassizs (Dr. J. B.)—Descriptions despeces nouvelles terrestres, et fluvio-lacustres de la Nouvelle Calédonie (Description of new land and freshwater shells from New Caledonia), pp. 375—387. Suceinea calcarea, Gas. 3. of Art. Resembles i$. elongata Drap. Helix rufotincta, G., Bourail, near H. Cuteolina ; H. inculta, G. Baie du Sud, near H. Calliope, Cr. 3 Physa incisa, G., Bourail ; P. doliolum, G., Ouagap, Bourail, and Bonde ; Melanopsis fasciata, G., Nekéeté, belonging to the group of W. vartegata, Mor.; M. fragilis, G., Ouagap, somewhat like J. Mariei, Crosse ; M, aurantiaca, G., Bourail and Neékété, related to Af. Maroccana, Chemn. ; MW. elongata, G.. Bourail ; IZ. Brotiana, G., near Nouméa. H. Crossr.—Descriptions d’especés de Mollusques inédites, prove- nant de la Nouvelle Calédonie (descriptions of unpublished species of Mollusca from New Caledonia), pp. 387—396. Diplomphulus’ Mavriei, Or. var. (Beta) (Pl. xii. fig. 1), Baie du Sud; D. Vaysseti, Marie (P1.xii. f. 2). These are two species of a curious group of Helices, which are concave both above and beneath. Helix Prevostiana, Cr. (PI. xii. f. 3), Baie du Sud; H. corymbus, Cr. (Pl. xii. f. 4), near Nouméa ; Pupa Paitensis, Cr. (Pl. xii. f. 5), Paita, the first sinistral Pupa discovered in New Caledonia ; P. Fabreana, Cr. (Pl. xii. f.6), near Nouméa, also sinistral ; Tornatellina Marier, Cr. (Pl. xii. f. 7), Baie du Sud ; Diplommatina Perroquini, Cr., var. (Beta), Baie du Sud; D. Montrouzieri, Cr. (Pl. xii. £. 8), Baiedu Sud, near D. Perroquini ; Lydrobia Gentilsiana, Cr. (Pla f. 9), near Ponébo. Bibliography, Notes, Index, &c., pp 396—423. M. Crosse men- tions in the Notes that Professor Deshayes has finished the arrange- ment of the very fine series of the genus 7’urbo, 67 species and 1142 specimens, in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes; and that a number of Mollusca collected by the late expedition to Tonquin have been received. Amongst these are sone Paludinide of most peculiar forms resembling WVatica and Ampullaria, and even Nematura. - We cannot close this notice without calling attention to the great zeal displayed by the French naturalists in the exploration of their colony of New Caledonia, every volume of the Journal containing numerous articles on the subject, the efforts of the resident natural. ists, Lambert, Marie, Montrouzier, &e., having been ably seconded by Crosse, Gassies, Souverbie, and others in the mother country, and we would express a hope that, now we have obtained possession of the neighbouring Archipelago of the Fijis, we may endeavour to imitate the excellent example of our neighbours on the other side of the Channel. It will be a dire reproach to us if the mollusca of the British possession should continue to be known only by the researches of the American Gould, and by those of the German Graeffe worked _ up by the Swiss Mousson.—C.P.G, TO SUBSCRIBERS, Tue current subscription expires with the present number, and the Editors hope that the subscribers will continue their support. The subscriptions for the next four number are now due, and should be forwarded by Post Office order, payable to J. W. Taytor, at the General Post office, Leeds. COMMUNICATIONS Have been received for the next number of the Journal from various contributors, including an annotated list of Shells from Ceylon, by Mr A. W. Langdon. Further contributions are desired, short notes being often useful and interesting. Leeds Waturalists’ Field Club AN SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. 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