70 



THE NAUTILUS. 



ception. As a matter of fact, however, I have never seen 

 among the many specimens examined any true Physa heteros- 

 tropha Say from a German locality. Even if Frankenberger had 

 seen introduced specimens of the American form, he ought not 

 to have generalized this fact. He would not have arrived at such 

 exaggerated conclusions, if he had seen such large series of the 

 introduced German shell as well as such quantities of the South- 

 ern and Western European Physa acuta Drap. from so many local- 

 ities as I have been able to study. Had Mr. Frankenberger asked 

 me for information, it would not have been the first time we 

 corresponded, I should have been glad to give him any de- 

 sired. This is especially the case with my Physa acuta thermalis 

 (Nachrichtsblatt der Deutschen Malakozoologischen Gesellschaft, 

 1913, p. 161). But this information was even rather superflu- 

 ous, as I have stated (1. c.), that I had a series showing all in- 

 tergradations from typical Physa acuta Drap. to my new form 

 (Plate III, fig. A.) 



This latter shell has reached such a large size by reason of the 

 prevailing favorable conditions. The accompanying figures 

 clearly illustrate this fact. There can be no doubt that all Physas 

 rare exceptions admitted found in Central Europe and not 

 belonging to Physa fontinalis L. are specimens (and their descen- 

 dants) of Physa acuta Drap. from Southern and Western Europe 

 introduced by aquarists. In many cases it is even still possible 

 to trace their history, as their local forms may often be recog- 

 nized. Apparently Mr. Frankenberger believes every large Physa 

 with elongated spire and rough surface to be Physa heterostropha 

 Say, quite ignoring the fact that in the natural range of Physa 

 acuta Drap. there are also races showing these characters. 



NOTES. 



NEWSPAPER CONCHOLOGY The following choice specimen of 

 newspaper science has appeared in several western papers. 



" TEST SNAILS SPEED RECORD. TUCSON, ARIZ., Aug. 29. Prof. 



Farniss, a naturalist of Joliet, 111., whose specialty is snails, 



