386 SPECIES OF THE SYSTEMA. 
Helix putrts, 
The language of the ‘Fauna Suecica’ leaves no doubt that 
this shell belonged to the genus Succinea, of which the amphibia 
alone is present in the Linnean collection. Of this species 
there are two varieties in the cabinet, the narrower and more 
produced of which has been frequently regarded as distinct, 
and has been distinguished by the name of Pfeiffert. Although 
convinced myself, by the comparison of very long suites of 
specimens, of their essential unity, it may be as well to state, 
for the benefit of those who may entertain a contrary opinion, 
the reasons why the name putris should be adjudged to the 
more ventricose form. ‘This preference is based upon the 
general assent of authors, the expression “ ovata,” which is un- 
suitable to Pfeifferi, and the figures referred to in illustration 
of the diagnosis. The word “ diaphana” has been appropriately 
added by our author in his own copy of the ‘ Systema.’ 
Helix linosa, 
In this case no assistance can be obtained from an ex- 
amination of the Linnean cabinet, since our author has not 
enumerated the present species among those possessed by 
himself. Had there been no reference to the ‘Fauna Suecica’ 
the brief description in the ‘Systema’ would have been pecu- 
liarly applicable to the Succinea Pfeifferi, as the ‘‘ ovata” of the 
preceding diagnosis and the ‘“ oblongiuscula” of the present 
one aptly express the relative proportions of shape in the two 
shells; and the cited figure of Gualtier (pl. 5, H), only referred 
to, however, in the last edition of that publication, is certainly 
a Succinea, though more like amphibia than Pfeifferi. What- 
ever Linnezeus may have eventually intended, the species, as it 
originally appeared in the first edition of the ‘Fauna Suecica,’ 
was certainly different, for five volutions are there attributed to 
it; and although no specific name was there allotted, yet as 
that description was exclusively referred to in the tenth edition 
