174 CURRENT LITERATURE. 



a new genus with the Microcystis baldwini, Ancey, as the type. Achatinclla 

 (Purtulina) confvm, a new name for A. physa, Newcomb. Ainastrella, a new 

 subgenus oi Amastra, type A. rugulosa, Pease. Kauaia, a new subgeneric name for 

 Carinclla, Pfr. , 1875, the latter having been used by Sowerby in 1839. The new 

 species are: Achatinclla (A chat inel lustrum ) ivailuacnsis, Pcrclicclla fulgurans, 

 Lcptachatina arborca, conicoides, convexiitscula, cmcrila, imitatrix, konacnsis, 

 supracostata, vaiia, Auriculella perkinsi, Tornatcllina cumpacta, confusa, cylin- 

 drica, perkinsi, irochoidcs, Succinea protracta, and Ancylus sharpi. 



A very complete bibliography, enumerating the titles of 178 works is given, and 

 an exceedingly useful list of named forms, which are placed in the present work as 

 varieties or synonyms. — W. E. C. 



CoUinge, Walter E.— Report on the .Slugs. A. Willey's Zoological Results, 

 1899 [1900], pt. iv, pp. 429—438, pis. xl— xli. 



The new species are Vcronicclla willcyi, from Lifu, Loyally Islands, and V. 

 hrunnca from Es.ifate, New Hebrides. Two new varieties — a/bidu tindfiKcojial- 

 Icsccns — of Aneilclla bcrghi, Plate, are described from Kara via. New Britain. 



Aneilca hirudo, P. Fisch., is recorded from Lifu, and V. Icydigi, Simr., and 

 V. hedleyi, Simr., both from Esafate. 



PPUVOt, G. — Sur deux Neomeniens nouveaux de la Mediterranee. Arch. Zool. 

 cxp. et gen., 1899, T. 7 (53), pp. 461 — 509, pis. xii— xiv. 



Professor Pruvot describes two new genera and species of unusual interest. The 

 first, SlyloDienia salvatori is regarded as a transitional form, and its structure, 

 which is treated of at some length, indicates many primitive characters. Like the 

 genus Ismcniu it finds its natural position in a group between the Froneomenidac on 

 the one hand and the Nrumcnidae on the other. The second form, Strophomcnia 

 lacazci is probably derived from JViopalomcnia aglaojihciiiae, Kow. et Mar., or some 

 closely allied form. Its actual affinities, however, are with Pruvvtia sopita, Pr., 

 and perhaps a Notomenia, described by Thiele, from Australia. In any case it 

 represents a degenerate Neomenian, modified under the influence of parasitism. 



Figures of both forms are given, in addition to many others, illustrating the 

 structure. — W. E. C. 



Williamson, M. Burton. — JEsUvaUon of Epip?iragmo2)hora traskH m Southern 

 California. Naut., 1900, vol. xiv, pp. 13 — 15. 



Unlike their congeners of the eastern states, which hibernate during the winter 

 months, the helices in southern California exhibit the greatest activity during this 

 period, hibernating during the summer. " The reason for this is that the food supply 

 is plentiful in the winter when the warm rains prevail ; and during the summer 

 months the arid condition of the foot-hills, the habitat of these quiet creatures, made 

 the restivalion of snails a necessity, a question of economy, an adjustment of demand 

 and supply. In process of time the necessity for aestivation rather than hibernation 

 became a habit." — \V. E. C. 



Baker, F. C. — A Revision of the Physa; of Northeastern Illinois. Naut., 1900, 

 vol. xiv, pp. 16^24. 



This is a useful and interesting piece of work. The following species, &c. are 

 described and figured : P. helerostropha , Say, P. sayii, Tappan, P. gyrina, Say, 

 and var. eUiptica, Lea, and P. Integra, Hald.- Some interesting observations on 

 P. gyrina are given, from which we quote the following: "It is very interesting 

 to watch a number of Phys(C in an aquarium ; as they are crawling along the 

 bottom, one will be seen to rise suddenly to the top of the water and move along 

 with the foot applied to the surface, the shell hanging down. Again, they may be 

 seen descending, suspended by a thin thread of mucus. When the animal rises 

 suddenh^ the branchial cavity opens with a faint clicking sound, probably due to 



