ON THE SPECIFIC NAME OF HELICELLA 

 ERICETORUM, MULLER. 



By A. SAXTER KENNARD. 



It has been the custom of late with certain Malacologists, 

 to adopt the name of " itala Linne " for the shell which is 

 generally known as Helicella ericdoviim, Mull. The authority 

 given for this change, is the late Dr. Hanley, who, in his " Ipsa 

 Linnaei Conchylia," adopted this course. It is there stated, 

 pp. 371-2, as follows : — 



" Helix itala, Linne. Having satisfied myself by the 

 process of analysis so often alluded to, that no shell in the 

 Linnean cabinet except the Helix ericctorum of authors (Chemnitz. 

 Conch. Cab., Vol. ix., pi. 132, fig. 1192-1193), accurately 

 coincided with the diagnosis of this species, I was agreeably 

 surprised by discerning the significant numerals, fully and 

 distinctly inscribed upon one of the specimens, for very rarely 

 is any writing to be found on the smaller shells of the collection. 

 Da Costa and Montagu had surmised the identity of that 

 common British snail with the itala of Linnaeus." Of course, 

 if Dr. Hanley's statement be correct, there is an end to the 

 matter, and itala would stand. 



In February last, through the kindness of Mr. J. E. 

 Harting, F.L.S., I was enabled to examine Linne's 

 specimens, and as a consequence of that examination, 

 I am forced to disagree with Mr. Hanley as to the 

 figures coinciding. If the shell is H. itala, the numbers 

 should be 683, whereas they are 593. It is true they are rather 

 indistinct, but with the aid of a lens they are easily deciphered, 

 and I may add that Professor Herdman, Mr. R. Bullen Newton, 

 ]\Ir. W. M. Webb, and Mr. B. B. Woodward, who were present 

 at the time, all agreed that the figures are 593. Of course, it is 

 quite possible that the two species are identical, yet, as there 

 is such a strong element of doubt in the matter, it is better to 

 retain the name of ericetorum, Miill. 



