IV PREFACE. 



The work consists of three portions : a list of marine mollusks 

 which have been stated to inhabit Japan from Yezzo to Kiushiu, 

 with references to description or figures of most species, and enumer- 

 ation of the special localities at which each species has been found 

 by previous naturalists or by Mr. Stearns. This is followed by a 

 catalogue of the Inland mollusks taken by Mr. Stearns in Japan ; 

 and finally a list of mollusks of the Loo Choo group procured by 

 Mr. Stearns is given. 



I have identified the specimens collected in Japan ; those from 

 the Loo Choo Islands were identified partly by Mr. Stearns, partly 

 by myself (see p. 160). 



Recent investigations have added no very important facts to 

 the general conclusions of Lischke regarding the status of the 

 Japanese mollusk fauna in comparison with the Indo-Pacific faunas. 

 The percentage of species peculiar to Japan has been considerably 

 increased, however, and probably will be further augmented ; 

 although no doubt recent political events have added a considerable 

 number of tropical species to what must hereafter be considered 

 Japanese seas. 



The classification used in the following pages while not entirely 

 that of any one of the manuals, it is hoped will be found convenient 

 for reference. The current generic nomenclature has been revised 

 in certain cases; and for perhaps the first time in the century, cer- 

 tain Linnrean names, such as Lijua lima and Delphinula delphiimla 

 have been restored to their rightful places. 



It may be noticed that some new specific names employed here- 

 in resemble the names of certain localities or islands of the Japanese 

 Empire; but we must here explicitly declare that between such 

 specific and geographic names no necessary connection exists ; and 

 the former, except where the contrary is stated, should be taken as 

 mere arbitrary or meaningless words. They will, therefore, not be 

 subject to change on account of modifications in the current mode 

 of transliteration from Japanese to the Roman character, nor from 

 other causes. 



Philadelphia, August, 1895. H. A. P. 



