114 



REPORT ON A SMALL COLLECTION OF HELTCOIDS FROM 

 BRITISH NEW GUINEA. 



By G. K. GuDE, F.Z.S. 



Head Sth April, 1904. 



During a residence of two years (1902 and 1903) in the interior of 

 New Guinea, Mr. E. A. Pratt collected a number of land-shells, 

 mostly in exceptionally fine condition, which he has kindly placed at 

 my disposal. There is only a limited number of species, and with the 

 exception of a Euplecta which appears to be undescribed, they are all 

 known forms. The locality whence they were obtained is stated to 

 be "Dinawa," British Central New Guinea, altitude 3,600 feet. 

 The following is an enumeration of the species: — 



1. Euplecta Pratti, n.sp. 



Shell depressed, conoid, narrowly perforated; dull, pale fulvous, 

 ornamented with hair-like raised striae, giving the shell a silky lustre 

 above; lighter, shining, and polished below. Spire depressed, apex 

 acute, slightly exserted, suture channelled. Whorls 5J, increasing 

 slowly, the last not widened towards the mouth, not descending in front, 

 slightly convex above, tumid below, acutely keeled at the periphery, 

 the keel slightly pinched above and below. Aperture a little oblique, 

 securiform ; margins distant, united by a thin callus on the parietal 

 wall. Peristome thin, acute, the columellar margin slightly dilated 

 above, and overhanging the narrow umbilical perforation. Diam. 

 maj. 18, min. 16 mm.; alt. 8-5 mm. 



Four specimens. Type in my collection. 



Compared with Euplecta infelix (Smith),' its nearest ally, the new 

 species is smaller and more depressed, the whorls are less convex, the 

 last whorl is much less preponderating, and the aperture consequently 

 much smaller, while the sculpture on the upper side is much coarser. 

 The species is dedicated to its discoverer, Mr. E. A. Pratt. 



• Concliologist, vol. ii (1893), p. 109 ; Journ. oi Malac, vol. v (1896), pi. ii, figs. 6, 7. 



