MOLLUSCA OF INDIA, 3 
order : —Anadenas and Opeas (both very well represented in my 
collection), Stvella, Harpalus, Planispira, and Plectotropis (many 
species have been worked out in these four genera). 
Among the earlier writers on Glessula—Pteifter, Benson, and 
both Henry and William Blanford—Geoffrey Nevill undoubtedly has 
the highest claim to notice; he had made a special study of the 
genus, and knew it better than anyone I have come in contact 
with. Much of Beddome’s knowledge was obtained from him in 
correspondence and exchange of specimens from Southern India, 
This is well shown in his copy of the ‘ Hand-List,’ being a 
catalogue of all the Gasteropoda in the Indian Museum when his 
health compelled him to retire. This is not a mere reprint 
of the first original edition of 1878 containing 338 pages, but 
there is added to every species the work in which it was originally 
published ; all additional species (in this genus 28) are given with 
descriptions of those Nevill considered new, while in hundreds of 
cases throughout the book the dimensions of type shells are given. 
One point which must not be forgotten is Nevill’s great accuracy 
in the records of habitat and the collectors through whom the species 
were obtained. The title-page is headed “ Proof for new Edition,” 
*“ For the Trustees Indian Museum—G,. Nevill, 1-11-81.” On 
another page, ‘“'I'o be offered to Trustees Indian Museum if they 
consider it may be of any practical value to them; if not, to be 
given to Col. Godwin-Austen. —Signed, G. Nevill, London, July 5th, 
1879.” Shortly after Nevill’s death at Davos in Switzerland, 
I received the copy with other books and valuable notes, and did 
all I could to get it published. 
On 23rd December, 1885, I first approached the Trustees of the 
Indian Museum, strongly advising the publication of a Second 
dition; in February 1886 I received a reply from the Honorary 
Secretary, Mr. H. B. Medlicott, of which this is the concluding 
paragraph: ‘“ The Trustees consent to your keeping present custody 
of and using the valuable copy of the Hand-list of Mollusca con- 
taining Mr. Nevyill’s notes and additions, There is no immediate 
prospect of special work in that branch of the collections.” In 
fact, the post which Nevill held has never been filled up to this 
day : for 40 years the collections of Mollusca have been in many 
hands, and in the course of many moves some species catalogued 
by Nevill could not be found when I have applied for them. It 
says much for those who have had charge that the collection is not 
in a worse state. 
I next took the book to Dr. John Anderson, the retired Super- 
intendent of the India Museum, under whom Nevill had served. 
He could effect nothing, although, if I remember right, he went to 
the India Office: it was the old story—no funds ! 
In 1883, in a final attempt to see it through the press myself, 
I obtained from Messrs. Taylor & Francis an estimate for 672 pages, 
500 copies unbound, £221 10s. 6d. This sum was not to be 
got—lI had it not to give, but would have given what knowledge 
I had towards publication, 
BZ 
