Mollusca from the Xortli-icest Fallclands. ] I 1. 



account of those gatiicred by ]\liss Cobb, in Lively Island, 

 ^\•|licll is situated just ofl' the mainland, due boutii of 

 Ciioiseul Sound, of the East Falklands. 



At the outset, a brief explanation of the configuration of 

 tliis group may be iiecessar)'. 



Two large islands, divided by a narrow sound, running 

 N.E. by S.W., are respectively called the West and East 

 Falklands, the latter being the larger, with an area of 

 3000 square miles as against 2300. It is also considei'ably 

 broader, while the length of eacb is almost the same (say, 

 between 80 and 90 mih^s). Both islands are mountainous : 

 Mount Adam, in the West Falklands, attains 2315 feet in 

 altitude, while in the corresponding island Mount Usborne is 

 slightly lower (,say, 2245 feet). This last also contains the 

 majority of the inhabitants, iStanl.y being the largest — in 

 fact, the only — town. It is not surprising, therefore, that 

 travellers have in the majority of cases been content to visit 

 the East Island alone, and that the equally important 

 westerly neighbour is almost unworked and only partitilly 

 exj)lored. 



\Ve, indeed, understand from j\Ir. Vallentin that tiie 

 collections of Mollusca (Marine, Terrestrial, and Fluviatile) 

 made by iiim in 1910-11, which form the subject of this 

 paper, are the first that have been brought from this locality, 

 and this fact should render the accompanying catalogue of 

 iiigher interest than usual, even though the majority are well- 

 known species. 



Mr. Vallentin has also kindly submitted to us his notes oti 

 the geography, climatic conditions, and other details, which 

 it is best to transcribe, unaltered, in his own words, as 

 follows : — 



Notes on the Collection. 



"All these Mollusks were obtained on the north-west si'Je 

 of the West Falkla)ids. 



"There are no land-locked harbours like Stanley Harbour, 

 but the coast-line abounds in very numerous inlets of 

 varying length, and there are niany islands past which the 

 tides rush with wild fury. In several places, such as Reef 

 Channel and West Point Pass, the pace is great during tiie 

 springs, 8-10 miles an hour, and when, coupled with this, 

 a strong wind is blowing, a terrific sea rages. As a 

 natural consequence, animal life is comparatively seai-e<!, 

 oidy the strongest forms being able to cope with such wild 

 and savage surroundings. 



" By far the most sheltered place in this district is JRo}/ 

 Cove, where a fair amount of dredging was accomplished. 



