1918.] ]\ . Annandale : Shells from, Mesoijotainia. 163 



? Genus Lithoglyphus, Miihl. 



A single broken shell from the same deposit perhaps belongs to this 

 genus. 



Family MELANIIDAE. 

 Melania tuberculata (Miiller). 



1918. Jlcld/iifi luherculata, Annandale, Eec. Ind. Mui). XIV, pp. 114, 15G, fig. 0, 

 pi. xii, figs. 1, 2. 



This common mollusc is well represented in all the deposits from 

 which I have seen specimens. Most of the shells are of the typical 

 form and of rather small size (not longer than 25 nun.). Mr. Hodgart 

 has, however, sent some very large ones from the banks of the Euphrates 

 at Nasariyeh, the largest of which must have been at least 45 mm. long 

 by 16 broad when complete. Some of these large shells retain vestiges 

 of their epidermis, but most are denuded and broken. 



Melanopsis nodosa, Ferassac. 



1874. Mdanopsis nodosa, Biot, " Die Melaniaceen," in Chemnitz's Conch.' 

 Cab. (ed. Kiistcr), p. 432, pi. xlvi, figs. 17-24. 



This is apparently by far the commonest species of its genus in lower 

 Mesopotamia. It is represented by numerous specimens from all the 

 deposits at Nasariyeh and by a single much worn shell from Samara. 

 All the shells I have examined have lost their epidermis and are white 

 and chalky. 



Melanopsis subtingitana, Nevill, Ms. 



(Plate XX, figs. 1, 2.) 



1884. Mddnojjsis costata, var.. Nevill, Hand-List Moll. Ind. Mas. II, i>. 2(J2. 



The shell is thick, of a very regular ovato-conical shape, narrow, 

 sharply pointed at the apex, from which it increases gradually and 

 evenly. The spire is conical, unbroken, with the suture little impressed 

 and the whorls not at all swollen. Seven or seven and a half whorls 

 persist in the two adult shells examined. The first three whorls are 

 small and almost smooth ; the others are decorated with broad and 

 prominent, slightly sinuous longitudinal ridges, of which there are about 

 fifteen. These ridges may become obsolete at the base of the body- 

 whorl or may be divided into two longitudinal tubercles by a deep 

 groove running round this whorl. The mouth of the shell is narrowly 

 ellipsoidal and is produced backwards in the form of a narrow slit which 

 is at first straight and then curves inwards and is not protected by an 

 overhanging lip. The columella is almost straight and pointed at its 

 extremity, which does not project or hardly projects beyond the lip ; 

 the callus is poorly developed. 



