Paryphanta.'] GASTROPODA. 779 



Egg calcareous, white, regularly oval, surface granular. Diameter, 

 11 mm. ; length, 13 mm. 



The animal is bluish-black, with the sole perhaps a shade lighter 

 in colour. On the head and neck are a few regular rows of rugse, 

 somewhat quadrate in outline ; on other parts of the body the rugae 

 appear to be oval-shaped, irregular in size, and not forming continuous 

 rows. The mantle has a sharp even margin, and a deeply incised 

 line or groove rather less than 2 mm. from the edge. On the under- 

 side of the mantle is the usual prominent lappet which conceals the 

 respiratory and anal pores, and in addition to this is a long narrow 

 fold on the left side. (R. Murdoch.) 



Anatomy and Dentition (Hutton, T. N.Z.I., xiv, 153, pi. 4, f. A, L ; 

 Murdoch, I.e., xxxv, 259, pi. 27, f. 2, 3). Formula of teeth 104 

 x 50 +0+50, sometimes raised to 52, the rows forming an obtuse 

 angle of about 130, salient posteriorly. The teeth are aculeate, the 

 innermost small and slender. Occasionally one of these slender 

 spicula-like teeth is somewhat separated from the adjoining teeth, 

 and where this occurs it gives to the row the appearance of a central 

 tooth. 



Further anatomical details were published by R. Murdoch : i.e., 

 pp. 258-62, pi. 27. 



The buccal mass is enormous in size and muscular development ; 

 the oesophagus enters the buccal cavity dorsally in the anterior fourth ; 

 the salivary glands are fused together ; the stomach forms a simple 

 elongated sac. The pedal gland is long and flattish, much folded, 

 and opening immediately below the mouth. The genital system is 

 remarkable for the extreme reduction of the male organs, and the 

 absence of a receptaculum seminis (as in Placostylus Bollonsi and 

 Schizoglossa). 



Tijpc in the British Museum. 



Hob. Northern parts of the North Island : Kaitaia ; Hokianga ; 

 Mangonui ; Bay of Islands ; Otonga East ; Mania Hill, Whangarei. 

 Its distribution is coincident in range with the kauri forest. 



Remarks. This beautiful shell is rapidly being exterminated by 

 the destruction of its natural haunts (the kauri forests), by bush-fires, 

 and by rats and pigs. I have specimens which were ba^ly scorched 

 by fire, the epidermis blackened and partly lost, yet the animals were 

 found to be alive. It is said that this snail is sometimes living on 

 trees, very likely in clusters of semiparasitic plants, where it may 

 find its natural food, earthworms. The Maori name of the shell would 

 seem to imply the correctness of this assertion. The eggs are usually 

 laid at the foot of large trees, underneath dead leaves. These molluscs 

 were not eaten by the Maoris. 



Maori. Pupu-rangi. 



Vernacular Name. Kauri-snail : whistling snail. 



