MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 211 



exi^t in differfint localities within their range. The result of this is that a 

 multiplicity of specific names has from time to time been given to many shells, 

 and this confusion can only be removed by the careful examination and com- 

 parison of specimens from all parts of the range of each species. 



These remarks apply more particularly to every kind of L/miura (the 

 fragile-shell fd pond snails) which can be found in almost every river, tank, 

 pond, ditch or even puddle throughout the country, and in a less degree to the 

 different kinds of freshwater mussels (' nio) and the variable, large, black 

 species of Melania found in Cachar and those pa its. 



The material at the British Mu eum is not nearly extensive enough to 

 realh arrive at a solution of the questions of what should rank as recognised 

 species, and it is only by the help of the members of such a Society as ours 

 that material can be accumulated to enable conclusions to be drawn. 



If members will send us the specimens, we will pass them on to the British 

 Museum to be worked out. Many volumes of tie series of handbooks ( n the 

 " Founi of British India" have now been published, and in the last we are 

 informed that one on thn land shells is in active preparation. Compared with 

 the freshwater shells, the land sh< Us with their enormous variety of species 

 and forms, would appear a far bigger job to tackle, but it is indicative of our 

 ignorance of the freshwater shells that r.o one has been found to underi;.ke the 

 task of classifying and describing them. 



Even if there is no general response to this appeal, as has so often been the 

 disappointing result in similar ras^s, it should be borne in mind by every 

 member throughout the country that his individual contribution will be none 

 the less valuable, and may even be of the greatest assistance in deciding some 

 doubtful point. 



Nearly every member of the Society, even in the most desert tracts, has 

 some bit of running or stagnant water in his immediate neighbouiho< d and 

 snipe and duck shooting take many to the vicinity of jhils and moist places. 

 I hope therefore when you do come across pond snails and river mussels, you 

 will remember us and pop some shells ii to an empty match box or cartridge 

 case, where they will be safe with a plug of gr.ss in the end to prevent them 

 falling out, tilt they can be treated with a couple of minutes in boiling water 

 and the animal removed. 



We do not want dead shell* if live ones can be obtained, and the pond snail 

 is not a lively customer that requires a lot of catching. 



Above all remember that the record of accurate locality is of almost equal 

 value to the shell. 



Kakacui, 2nd August 1907. E. COMBER. 



No. XXX.— NOTE ON EFFECT OF STRYCHNINE POISON ON 



WILD DOGS. 

 In the Nimar District of the Central Provinces wild dogs have been excep- 

 tionally numerous of late years, doing no end of damage to game, and so far 



