l8 CURRENT LITERATURE. 



the shell and the laxity of coil, while the structure af the axis indicates that many 

 phyla have passed their acme of specialisation, and are on the decline. 



Parallel and convergent evolution is well illustrated by certain shell characters, 

 and comparisons are instituted between the shells of the different genera. The geolog- 

 ical and zoogeographical data bearing on the family are next reviewed, together with 

 historical notes on the classification and that adopted in the present work. Finally 

 an analytical key to genera completes this valuable and interesting work. 



We have long wished to see the biological side of each family dealt with, and it 

 is by no means an easy task the author has had to deal with. The work has been well 

 done, as one would expect from an expert of such great ability, indeed no higher praise 

 can be given to volume xvi than to say it is worthy of the reputation of its author. 



In conclusion we must regret, with all malacologists who appreciate this magnifi- 

 cent monograph, the exceedingly careless manner in which the different parts of this 

 volume are stitched. There is no reasonable excuse for stitching nearly three-eights 

 of an inch into the pages and plates of any woik. 



Hedley, Charles.— Scientific Results of the Trawling Expedition of H.M.C.S. 

 "Thetis." Mollusca, Part II. Mem. Aus. Mus., 1903, vol. iv, pt. 6, pp. 327— 

 402, pis. xxxvi — xxxviii, and 53 figs, in text. 



The second part of Mr. Hedley's paper treats of the Scaphopoda and Gastropoda, 

 and records 4 species of the former, of which 2 are new, and 161 of the latter. 35 

 of which are new. 



Epignts (Type\Rissoa iscliniis, Tate) is a new genus allied to Scrobs, Watson, and Myxa 

 (M. cxcsa, n. sp.) is a new genus of the PyramclUdac, umbilicate, with few whorls, no 

 columella fold, and the lip produced anteriorly. A new genus of the Bitccinidac 

 related to Hindsia is described under the name of Fasciniis (Type F. typiciis, n, sp.). 

 In several points it recalls Coliihraria, but lacks the varices on the upper whorls, in 

 other Xassa, but the pattern of the sculpture is foreign to that genus, while the large 

 ipex and absence of columella plications separate it from Hindsia. 



We note with some disappointment, the absence of anatomical details for any of 

 the new genera or species. 



Melvill, J. Cosmo and Ponsonby, J. H.— Descriptions of Thirty-one Terrestrial 

 and Fluviatile Mollusca from South Africa. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1903 (s. 7.), 

 vol. xii, pp. 595 — 609, pis. xxxi, x.xxii. 



This the seventeeth contribution towards the elucidation of the non-marine 

 .Molluscan fauna of South Africa, includes descriptions of eleven species of Eiiuca, 

 eight of Trachycystis, two of Ancyliis, and one each of ten other genera. 



Trachycxstis scolopciidra is an interesting species, and perhaps the most remark- 

 able South African Helicoid yet described. Faiixidiis craivfordianns is a particularly 

 fine and interesting dextral species, with six unusually complicated peristomatal pro- 

 cesses. A very handsome species of Tivpidoplioia, and a Chondrocyclits may also be 

 mentioned. 



Eliot, C — On some Nudibranchs from East Africa and Zanzibar. Part II. Proc. 

 Zool. Soc. Lond., 1903, pp. 250 — 257. 



The author describes two new genera and five new species, none of which, 

 however, are figured. 



Ceratophyllidia africaua, gen et. sp. nov., is described from a single specimen, 

 possessing a buccal aparatus similar to that of Phyllidiopsis, with the back studded 

 with papillae. Plciirophyllidiclla horatii, gen. et sp. nov., is also described from a 

 single specimen and appears to be intermediate between Plcnrolcura and Plciiro- 

 phyllidia. The remaining new species are — Baeolidia major, CcrberiUa africaiia, 

 and Ercolauia zanziharica. 



