76 The Williams Collection of Shells 



and two hundred and eighty-five fine specimens. With 

 these must be ranked in quality the "limpets," Patel- 

 lidae, Acmaeidae, Fissurellidae, etc. Specialists in 

 these groups may envy these specimens. The repre- 

 sentation of the "tectibranch" molluscs (Bullidae, 

 etc.) is also excellent, with many rare and noteworthy 

 forms. 



PULMONATA 



Collectors who have surrendered to the charm of 

 the land shells will find this collection deficient neither 

 in quality nor quantity of the pulmonates. Prof. Henry 

 A. Ward said of it, shortly before his death, that he 

 had never seen such a collection of land shells as Mrs. 

 Williams', and that he should never tire of looking at 

 it. In the catalogue appear about one hundred and 

 seventy- five genera of Pulmonata represented, but 

 if the latest writings of Pilsbry are followed there must 

 be at least two hundred generic groups. Of the 

 Helicidae alone there are hundreds upon hundreds of 

 species present and long lists of rare kinds. The series 

 of Helicostyla and its subgenera is especially attract- 

 ive and choice, including the very rare H. harjordi, 

 Sowerby, from Negros. 



The land shells thus constitute a very important part 

 of the collection. Of special interest are Helix salleana, 

 from Guatemala, said to be the rarest American shell ; 

 " Bulimus" dombeyanus, Ferussac, of which are known 



