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Show 590 MR. E. A. SMITH ON SHELLS [June 2, Island by Brenchlev during the cruise of the ' Curagoa,' and Mr. Guppy found it at San Christoval, Ugi, and Santa Anna, all of these localities being at the southern end of the group. As the species has not been recorded from any of the other islands, it is possible its distribution may be confined to San Christoval and the small islands in the immediate vicinity. The variety j3 ot Pfeiffer (Monog. Helic. vol. iv. p. 193) was obtained by Mr. Guppy at Santa Anna; one of the specimens, which evidently is adult, being more conical above and only 25 millim. across at its greatest diameter, whilst the normal form from San Christoval attains at times an extreme width of 35 millim. Specimens of the typical form, of the same large size, but lacking the red markings on the sutural band and at the keeled periphery, were collected at San Christoval by J. Macgillivray, Esq., during the voyage of H.M.S. ' Herald.' A specimen obtained on the north coast of the same island by Mr. Guppy is worthy of special mention, and may be termed var. picta, on account of the undulating reddish-brown stripes which ornament both the upper and lower surfaces. A similar example was also collected by Dr. A. Corrie and presented to the Museum. The markings on these two shells are very striking and distinctly visible within the aperture. 5. HELIX (CORASIA) ANADYOMENE, A. Adams & Angas. Hab. Ugi I. The single specimen obtained by Mr. Guppy is a rather more adult shell than the type, which was presented to the British Museum by Mr. Angas. It has somewhat mere strongly marked lines of growth, is of a rather thicker substance, and has the peristome more thickened and more broadly reflexed. Guadalcanar Island, where this species was first discovered, is a little to the west or north-west of Ugi or Gulf Island. 6. HELIX (GEOTROCHUS) ACMELLA, Pfeiffer. Hab. Faro Island and Florida Island. Of this species only one variety has previously been mentioned, which is of an almost uniform greenish-yellow tint. A specimen " from the coral-limestone region " of Florida Island has the body-whorl of a salmon-tint and the three topmost volutions bright red. The peristome is white, as in the normal form. It seems to me doubtful whether this species is really specifically distinct from H. meta, Pfr. ; for even in the small series in the Museum the gradual transition from one form to another can almost be demonstrated. The greater convexity of the whorls, the broader body-whorl, and consequently the sharper spire, mainly distinguish this species. It was originally said to have come from the Admiralty Islands, the inaccuracy of which locality has since been pointed out by Brazier (Journ. de Conch. 1880, p. 302), who obtained specimens from Bougainville and Ysabel Islands, showing that this species has a rather extended range in this group of islands. |