18 Quarterly Jnurual of Gowhology. 



Journal to give from time to time outline sketches of abnormal forms 

 under recognised varietal names — given by such eminent authorities 

 as Jeffreys, for instance — it would be very valuable and interesting, 

 especially to the student subscribers of this interesting Journal. 



In the foregoing remarks I have but alluded casually to the varia- 

 tion of the animal which inhabits the shell, which doubtless varies 

 more or less in conformity to the variations in the shell, either in some 

 particular organ which regulates colour or texture or general form 

 combined ; but as these particulars are not mentioned by authors 

 generally, except such variation as relates to colour in the animal, we 

 may infer that difference in the shell is chiefly recognised in the 

 naming of varieties of such that are shell-bearing. The fact that 

 when any difference in form is made apparent in any particular organ 

 or combination of organs in the animal which inhabits the shell, it is 

 then placed upon debatable ground as to its rank as species or variety; 

 this shows how important variation in form is to be considered in 

 relation to other varietal differences. 



I wish to repeat again that if it was well understood by Concho- 

 logical students what a " named variety " was according to some 

 recognised standard, what additional value and importance it would 

 give to the combined observances of Conchologists and collectors in 

 noting that such a variety of some particular species had been found 

 on the sea-coast or inland situation, on the mountain or in the valley, 

 in the woods or in the open field, on rocks or in the marsh, in the 

 water, fresh or brackish ; in the running stream or standing pool ; or 

 water charged with inorganic compounds, as iron and lime ; or organic 

 compounds, as vegetable or dead animal matter ; or geologically, on 

 chalk, limestone, sandstone, slate, or coal, &c. 



Observations made under these circumstances and noted from time 

 to time in this Journal, I venture to think would help to elucidate the 

 causes of variation and the geographical distribution of species. 



P.S. — Since writing the preceding remarks in reference to the 

 desirability of student subscribers to the Journal of Conchology exactly 

 understanding what amount of difference from the typical form might 

 be considered sufficient to mark a named variety, it has occurred to me 

 that several small boxes or set of boxes, suitable for 2:)0sting, might be 

 kept at the office of the Journal, which would contain single specimens 

 of each of the several varieties of single species or group of species, 

 which had been identified as such — say by Mr. Jeffreys — and that 

 these boxes should be lent for a stated period — say a week — to such of 

 your subscribers as might desire to see the same, and would be willing 

 to send — say twelve stamps ; these to be returned on the return of the 

 box, after deducting postage, or kept as security for other boxes which 

 he might desire to see, or kept in hand on subscription account. 

 Boxes also might be prepared containing type shells of critical species, 

 which, I think, are not always found correctly named even in good 

 collections. 



2", Oldham Road, Manchester. 



