CURRENT LITERATURE. 47 



Smith, EdgraP A. — On the Land-Shells of Cnra9oa and the neighbouring islands. 

 Proc. Malac. See. Lond., 1898, pp. 1 13-16, figs. i-ii. 



Pilsbpy, H. A. — Remarks on the American species of Conulus. Naut., 1899, 

 pp. 1 1 3- 1 7. 



Sterki, V. — Some studies on the Morphology of the Cycladidce. Ibid., pp. 1 17-19. 



VaySSiere, A. — Monographic de la famille des Pleurobranchides. Ann. d. Sci. 

 Nat., 1898, T. viii. (Sth ser.) pp. 209-402, pis. 13-28. 



Prof. Vayssiere has here given a most valuable account of the Pleurohrancliidcc. 

 After a short history of the work of previous writers, an admirable account of the 

 general anatomy is given, followed by the systematic portion, where the individual 

 anatomical characters of most of the species are set forth in detail. The following 

 genera are recognised: BcrthcUa, Blainv., with 7 species, one of which is new 

 [B.brocki). Cuvier's genus Plcurohranchus is divided into three sub-genera, viz. : 

 Bouvieri, Vays., with 6 species, Pleurobranchus {sens, ijrop.), Cuv., with 35 species, 

 and Susania, Gray, with 6 species ; and Oscanius, Leach, with i species. 



The anatomical characters of the above sub-genera seem sufficiently well marked 

 and important to rank as genera. — W. E. C. 



Johnstone, J. — The Spawning of the Mussel (Mytihis edulis). Rpt. for 1898, 

 Lancashire Sea-Fisheries Lab. Liverpool : 1899, pp. 36-53, pis. i-ii. 



From an extensive series of observations made during 1898, the author has been 

 able to arrive at some definite conclusions respecting the date of spawning of this 

 species. Briefly summarised the results arrived at are as follows : the maximum 

 spawning period occurs about June or July, during which there is a rapid and 

 complete extrusion of the genital products, accompanied by a series of histological 

 changes in the visceral mass and mantle ; then follows a short period of rest during 

 part of August and .September. The reformation of the germinal epithelium next 

 commences to take place, followed by a slow proliferation of ova and spermatozoa, 

 which occupies the rest of the year. The genital products are formed less rapidly 

 in the spring, during which period a slow emission of these takes place, continuing 

 on until the maximum spawning period occurs. 



The different histological changes in the gonads at the various stages are 

 described and figured. — W. E. C. 



Herdman, W. A. — Oysters and Disease. Ibid., pp. 62-67. 



Kohn, C. A. — Note on Occurrence of Iron and Copper in Oysters. Ibid., pp. 

 67-79. 



AshePOft, R. L.— Mussel-beds and Mud-banks. Ibid., pp. 79-81. 



Amaudrut, Alex. — La Partie Anterieure du Tube digestif et la torsion chez les 

 Mollusques Gasteropodes. Ann. d. Sci. Nat., 1898, T. vii (Sth ser.) pp. 

 I -291, pis. i-x. 



Pilsbry, H. A. — New American Land Shells. Naut., 1899, vol. xii, pp. 101-104. 



Pilsbpy, H. A. — PotamoUthtis jacuhyensis, n. sp. Ibid., p. 113, 



StePki, V. — l:\ew Pup idee. Ibid., pp. 127-29. 



Dall, Wm. H. — On a new species oi Drillia from California. Ibid., p. 127. 



CockePell, T. D. A. — Another new snail from New Mexico. Ibid., p. 131. 



CPOSSe, H. — Etudes Malacologiques sur des Genres nouveaux ou peu connus. 

 Journ. de Conchyl., 1898, vol. xlvi, pp. 205-8, pi. x, figs. 1-2. 



HePVieP, R. P. J. — Descriptions d'especes de mollusques, provenant de I'Archipel 

 de la Nouvelle-Caledonie. Ibid., pp. 209-13, pi. x, figs. 3-4. 



