124 LAND AND FRESHWATER 
The following species are included in this genus :— 
Oxyrrs oxytres, Benson. (Plate XXX. figs. 2, 2a; animal, 
figs. 3, 3 a, 3b, from Cachar.) 
Helix ovytes, Benson, J. A.S.B. 1836, vol. v. p. 351; Pfr. Mon. 
Hel. vol. i. p. 395; Reeve, Conch. Icon. f. 734; Conch. Ind. p. 13, 
pl. xxvi. fig. 1 (with the misleading general locality ‘“ Bengal,” and 
the keel shown far too broad and coarse). 
Hemiplecta (sec. D) owytes, Theob. Cat. Supp. p. 22. 
Nanina (Hemiplecta) oxytes, Nev. Hand-list, No. 261, p.47. ‘* No 
projection above the gland, which is rather broad; sole broadly 
margined and with a double line (W. 7. B.).” 
Locality. S.W. Khasi (H. H. G.-A.). 
This is a very abundant shell on the outer lower slopes of the 
Darjiling and Western Bhutan Mountains, as well as of the Khasi 
and Garo Hills. In the limestone rocks south of the latter districts 
it grows into a superb shell, solid, and more depressed above, the 
whole form so altered that it might be taken for another species. 
Shells in every stage of development can be found, and their larger 
size is due to the excessive moisture, abundance of food, and the 
character of the rocks, undermined and hollowed out by the drip 
from the forest trees, so that the land-shells have most secure quarters 
to retire to, and thus live much longer than in more open situations. 
The land Mollusca are more prolific also in such ground ; notably 
near Nongkulang and Yindku, in the 8.W. Khasi Hills, their dead 
shells strew the ground on every side. 
The large variety of O. ovytesis figured on Plate XXX. figs. 1,1 a; 
it measures—mayjor diam. 56°5, minor diam. 50-0, alt. axis 16°5 mm. 
I found O. owytes also in the Dafla Hills, similar to Darjiling speci- 
mens; and in the North Cachar Hills I obtained fine examples. 
The animal figured is from Stoliczka’s series of drawings (No. 36), 
made from a specimen sent by me to him from Cachar. 
Original description :—‘ 7’, late umbilicata, orbiculari, depressa, 
oblique subplicata, ferrugineo-cornea, spira convexa, apice planato ; 
anfractibus 54, subplanatis, contabulatis, ultimo carinato, subtus tumi- 
diusculo ; sutura vie marginata ; apertura subquadrato-lunata, valde 
obliqua, intus albida, polita, marginibus acutis eapansiusculis, callo 
tenur gunetis, inferiore valde arcuato, subrefleao ; umbilico lato, pro- 
fundo, omnes anfractus exhibente, margine subcompresso. 
‘** Diam. major 47, minor 40, axis 15 mill. 
“ Hab. in montibus preter fines provincie Bengalie orientales 
versus septentrionem spectantes.” 
The following is the description of the animal of a specimen from 
Moyong in the N. Khasi Hills:—Dark coloured, the eye and oral 
tentacles very dark neutral grey ; extremity of foot rounded, with a 
wide open gland above ; the foot is also short and flattened. 
The next species is a very close ally. 
