Mr. C. Hedley on Australian Slugs. 171 
species of this genus; to have reached this total our author 
must have impressed every available synonym and enlisted 
an odd genus or so as well. 
“Such species as 7. Cumingt, Beck, .... might be sepa- 
rated from Helicarion by their shells alone, at least sub- 
generically.” In this conclusion he is perfectly correct, but 
was anticipated some twenty years since by Prof. Semper, 
who demonstrated anatomically (Reis. im Phil. vol. iii. pt. 1, 
p: 56) the position of this mollusk in the genus Nesta. H. 
Milli, Cox, should be classified as a Nanina (see ‘ Records of 
the Australian Museum,’ vol. i. p. 136). The fact that 
Garrett (P. Z. 8. 1887, p. 315) throws grave doubts on the 
Fijian habitat of Parmella is disregarded by Mr. Cockerell, 
who copies the probably fictitious locality from his prede- 
eessors. A notice by myself on the genus (‘ Records of the . 
Australian Museum,’ vol. i. pp. 78-80, pl. xi.) appears to 
have shared the fate of much other molluscan literature, and 
to have escaped the observation of this author, who should- 
have referred this genus to the Helicarionine. 
In reference to Cystopelta Mr. Cockerell seems to have read 
my article, which he quotes so approvingly, without having 
quite understood it. I beg to repeat emphatically that this 
genus has not the teeth of Testacella, neither has it the jaw 
of Arion. “ Of this,” to quote our merry friend, “ there is no 
possible doubt, no probable possible shadow of doubt, no 
possible doubt whatever.” Also that Cystopelta has not the 
slightest resemblance or affinity to either the Testacellide or 
the Selenitide. Further, that Cystopelta is a much modified 
and aberrant member of the Helicarionine. I believe that 
any modern malacological student who attentively examines 
the drawings and descriptions appearing in the Proc. Linn. 
Soc. N. 8. W. (2) vol. v. pp. 44-46, pl.i., and vol. vi. pp. 24, 
25, pl. i. fig. 4, will agree with me. 
The classification of our land Mollusca sadly needs revision ; 
but aramble through the British Museum and a study of 
text-books are not a sufficient qualification for the task, and 
it is to be hoped that before Mr. Cockerell again addresses 
himself to it that he will serve a considerable apprenticeship 
to biological science with the microscope, dissecting-needle, 
and sketch-book. 
Linnean Hall, 
Sydney, N.S. W., 
December 12, 1891. 
