| OCR Text |
Show 90 REV. J. T. GULICK ON ACHATINELLINcE. [Jan. 21, ever, in the supposition that Ferussac's use of the form "Helicteres" had escaped the attention of other conchologists. Dr. Pfeiffer has referred to it, but there were sufficient reasons why he should not use it. Beck and some others have followed Ferussac in adopting the plural form of the word, while Pease uses the singular; but whether the singular or the plural, it has been preoccupied as the name of a genus in the vegetable kingdom. W e might hesitate to reject it if it had been in general use for many years; but no good reason exists for reviving an objectionable name which has long been rejected. The group of small species provided with an internal lamella resting upon the inner wall of the shell has already been removed from the genus Partula by Dr. Pfeiffer. He has rightly estimated their claim to a separate name, and to a place amongst the Achatinellince. They should undoubtedly be regarded as a distinct genus, and under Pfeiffer's name Auriculella they will probably be received as such. The group of large turreted species found only on the island of Kauai, classed sometimes as Achatina, sometimes as Achatinella, sometimes as Spiraxis, finds its true place as a distinct genus under the name Carelia (H. & A. Adams). This group, as well as Auriculella, should have a place in the Achatinellinae, but separate from the genus Achatinella. With the addition of these forms, the i^chatineilinEe may be regarded as consisting of ten genera or convenient divisions. Seven of these are arboreal, and three of them terrestrial genera. ACHATINELLINcE. A. Arboreal Genera. 1. ACHATINELLA, Swainson. Syn. Achatinellastrum, Pfeiffer. Hab. Chiefly on the island of Oahu ; also on Molokai. Type Achatinella vulpina, Fer. Hab. Pauoa, on Oahu. 2. BULIMELLA, Pfeiffer. Hab. Oahu. Type Bulimella rosea, Swain. Hab. Wahiawa and Helemano, Oahu. 3. A P E X , Von Martens. Hab. Island of Oahu. Type Apex decora Fer. (syn. H. perversa, Sw.). Hab. Kawailoa, on Oahu. 4. L A M I N E L L A , Pfeiffer. Hab. Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Type Laminella gravida, Fer. Hab. East end of Oahu. 5. PARTULINA, Pfeiffer. Hab. Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Type Partulina virgulata, Migh. Hab. Molokai. |
