54 THE NAUTILUS. 



entirely distinct. Althougli the differences from that species seem 

 not striking at first sight, they are well marked after careful com- 

 parison, as anyone will be convinced by close examination of the 

 two forms. Hy. texana resembles more Hy. siiir/leya)ia Pils., which 

 however is sufficiently different by its much smaller size. The two 

 evidently represent a natural group, and dotibtless will show 

 peculiar anatomical characters. It is to be hoped that Mr. Singley 

 or another Texan conchologist will succeed in secui'ing fresh spec- 

 imens for examination. 



Since writing the above, specimens have been received from 

 Hidalgo, Texas, and from Henry County, Indiana. It will probably 

 be found at intermediate localities also. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HELICES OF NEW ZEALAND. 



BY HENRY A. PILSBRY. 



The first species of New Zealand land snails made known to 

 science were described many years ago, by Dr. J. E. Gray of the 

 British Museum. A number of forms were described later by 

 Pfeiffer; and most of these were illustrated by Reeve in his big 

 volume on Helix in the Conchologia Iconiea. Reeve took the 

 liberty of renaming the species to which Pfeiffer had given the 

 names of letters of the Greek alphabet. These changes have been 

 adopted by some authors, but as they were wholly unwarranted the 

 propriety of returning to the original Pfeifferian designation is now 

 conceded by most students. The most elaborate contributions 

 to our knowledge of the New Zealand land snails have been made 

 by Prof. Hutton, whose work npon this fauna will only become the 

 more highly valued and appreciated as the subject is more widely 

 known and studied. 



Mr. H. Suter has lately made very valuable and substantial addi- 

 tions to New Zealand Malacology. I am indebted to him for numer- 

 ous specimens and drawings and much useful information still 

 unpublished. 



The most prominent element in the New Zealand Helix fauna is 

 the ancient and widely distributed genus Patula ; this is represented 

 by numerous small species belonging to the section Charopa of Albers. 

 The world-wide distribution of this type of snail causes us to regard it 



