44 



NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND VARIABILITY 

 OF TASMANIAN LAND SHELLS. 



By R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., &c. 



[Bead May 12, 1879.] 



Having visited many parts of our island but little known 

 to the general traveller, I have, during the past few years, 

 accumulated materials with respect to the distribution and 

 variability of our land and fresh-water shells, which may be 

 helpful in removing some of the existing difficulties in regard 

 to classification. 



Mr. Legrand's very excellent monograph, modestly called 

 by him " A Collection for a Monograph of Tasmanian Land 

 Shells," contains a full description of 83 species. Of these 

 the greater part (55) were described by the eminent Austra- 

 lian conchologist, Dr. Cox, whose monograph of the Austra- 

 lian land shells, a work of the greatest value, is necessary to 

 every one who desires to become familiar with Australian con- 

 chology. The remainder is described by well-known leading 

 naturalists as follows, viz., Brazier, 16 ; Pfeiffer, 8 ; Reeve, 1 ; 

 Ferussac, 1 ; and Leach, 1. The work in addition contains 

 notes and observations relating to distribution, variability, 

 and affinities by Mr. Legrand himself, which are not the least 

 valuable part of the work ; and it is illustrated by two beau- 

 tifully executed plates containing the enlarged drawings of 27 

 species. 



Much, however, has been done since the last edition was 

 published by Mr. Legrand eight years ago. At that time the 

 only districts examined carefully were in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of Hobart Town. True, there are references 

 tohabitats throughout the island, but these merely refer to such 

 shells as from size or abundance would be picked up by casual 

 observers. Of those who have since systematically investigated 

 virgin districts after Mr. Legrand, Mr. Petterd deserves 

 especial notice. His recent exhaustive contribution to the 

 history of our land shells shows how much he deserves the 

 thanks of all who interest themselves in the invostiiration of 



