552 check list of the freshwater shells of australia, 



2. Melania Balonnensis. 



Melanin Balonnensis, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences Phil., p. 

 11, 1850. American Journal Conch, ii., p. 80, pi. 1, fig-. 10, 

 1866. Brot in Martini and Chemnitz, Conch. Cab. p. 287, 

 pi. 28, fig. 14 a. and 15, 1874. 



Hob. Lower Murray Eiver, South Australia (Professor Tate). 



This species is of a much lighter texture than M. Tatei, also 

 lighter coloured, and the ribs not so distinct on the body whorl. 



Check List of the Fresh- water Shells of Australia. 



By EALPn Tate, Assoc. Linn. Soc, F.G.S., Corr. Memb. Acad. 



Sc. Philad., Eoy. Soc. Tasman, &c, Professor of Natural 



History, University of Adelaide ; and John Brazier, 



Corr. Memb. Zool. Soc, Roy. Soc. Tasm., &c. 



In this communication, we have attempted to bring together 

 the scattered published sources of information concerning the 

 fresh-water molluscs of Australia, in the hope that it may serve 

 as a basis for a monograph on the subject. Excepting the 

 labours of Deshayes and Lea, among the lamellibranchs, no 

 comprehensive survey of the fresh-water shelis of this continent 

 has been attempted. It is true that the fresh-water shells of 

 Tasmania have been arranged by Messrs. Woods and Johnston, 

 but, in this case no comparison has been instituted between the 

 insular and continental faunas ; and it may safely be alleged 

 that, in general, the knowledge of our fresh-water shells consists 

 of a number of units, which in no sort of way have been brought 

 into relationship one with another. Thus, each geographical 

 region is made to be exceptionally distinct from neighbouring 

 ones. "Whether this be actually true ?, or whether it be appar- 

 ently so, because of the imperfect state of our knowledge ? Are 

 questions which must be determined, before any generalizations 

 can be made. 



