t9^.J ICane- — E)itomostyaca from Lough Ree. 13 



confined to Scandinavia, according 10 Brady. Thti excessive 

 local variation which seems to obtain m this and allied species 

 presents a problem well worthy of further research. 



The only other capture worth noting was Sida crystallhia 

 which was plentiful among weeds at St. John's Point. The 

 material, however, has been so far only cursorily examined, 

 and there may be minute species yet overlooked worthy of 

 record. 



An attempt was made to collect in a very shallow lake near 

 Clonmacnois, but owing to the boat having but one oar it was 

 impossible to reach the deeper water, and Eurycaus lanuilatus 

 was almost the onh^ species taken. 

 Drumrearke, Monaghaii, 



A COUNTY FAUNA. 



Contributions towards a Fauna of Herefordshire— IVlollusca. 



By Arthur E. Boycott and Ernest W. \V. Bowki^i.. U'oolhope 



Natuyalists^ Field Club. Pp. 104, n.d. 

 Messrs. Boycott and Bowell's " contribution " is certainly the best paper 

 on a count}' fauna we have yet seen. In many respects it even represents 

 an ideal to be imitated by naturalists of other counties, and we strongly 

 recommend its perusal to those intending to issue similar publications. 

 Instead of the usual list of species, with long strings of Latin names 

 indiscriminately ajDplied to monstrosities as well as to individual varia- 

 tions in size, the authors give us carefully compiled lists of distribution 

 of the species with regard to the principal geological strata, and they 

 also take into consideration the anatomy and histology of the animals 

 which the}- enumerate. There are some points, however, in which this 

 little work might have been improved. Though it is acknowledged that 

 the slugs have been practically left out. no reason is given for this 

 singular omission. The chief defect, however, lies, in our opinion, in 

 the nomenclature, which is almost bewildering in its novelty. After 

 committing themselves to this statement (p. 21,)- '• Indeed, the more the 

 mitter is inquired into, the further one is driven from one's ideal of 

 strict correctness and priority to the view that the best name is the one 

 to which 25Cople are most accustomed and about the significance of 

 which there is not much doubt '" we find our familiar HyaJiin'a ciystallina 

 described as Discus crystallinus, Hcli.x rotundata as Pyramidiila rotundata, 

 whilst our poor garden snail, Helix aspersa^ becomes Cryptomphalusaspersus. 

 To resuscitate such names as Discus, Cryptoinphalus. Ainphibulina, and 

 Thcodaxtis ^^^Mv?, to us objectionable and not even always in accordance 

 with any rules of priority. It is a great pity that no reference is given 

 on the paper as to the method and date of its original publication. 



R.F.S 



