60 
THE NAUTILUS. 
differentiated from the formation and appearance of members of the 
same species found in the periodic streams of the open plains, which 
disappear with each recurrence of the dry season. 
On the Jamaican Species of Veronicella, by Prof. T. D. A. 
Cockerell and R. R. Larkin. (Journ. of Malac. Ill, pt. 2, 1894). 
The material discussed in this paper consists of 18 specimens, all 
referred to V. sloanii, from Jamaica. These were dissected and 
their characters carefully noted. The conclusions reached are of 
much value to investigators of this difficult genus. “The results 
obtained are quite remarkable and tend to throw doubt on the 
validity of several characters hitherto used for the separation of 
species in the genus * * * The specimens show great differences 
from one another, so that by selecting a few of the most distinct 
forms, several apparently good species might be described. Yet we 
believe that the whole series represents the variations of but one 
species, V. sloanii, and that V. virgata Ckll. must be reduced to 
V. sloanii var. virgata. * * notwithstanding so much variability, 
the species as now defined should be easy of recognition. The 
following characters appear to be quite constant and of specific 
value in V. sloanii. (1) The under-side is always free from spots 
or markings of any kind, whereas occidentalis Gldg. from the Lesser 
Antilles, has some spots below. (2) The sole never projects from 
behind the body, as it does in one or two of the continental species. 
(3) The filiform glands are less than 10 mill, long, whereas in 
dissimilis and floridanus they are considerable longer. (4) The 
penis is always long, cylindrical, with the end slightly bulbous and 
the orifice terminal. It thus entirely differs from that of such 
species as V. portoricensis. (5) The filiform glands are always 
more than 10 in number thus differing from V. morchii and V. dubia. 
(6) The female orifice is always post median, thus differing from 
the continental V. nigra, etc.” 
The characters of size and shape, distance of female orifice from 
head and sole, size of penis and splitting of its retractor, number 
and length of filiform glands etc., were found to vary within wide 
limits, and their several variations were not correllated in the 
different organs, so that no dependence could be placed upon the 
various combinations presented for specific distinctions. Color, 
contrary to the opinion of some authors, seems useful in some cases. 
The whole series examined is systematically tabulated; and the 
only thing lacking in this admirable paper is illustration. Still, 
this is a lazy complaint when all is so clearly described. 
