484 Mr. W. H. Benson on new Indian Species 0/ Achatina. 



size, by its less rapidly decreasing sjDire, solidity, and colour ; 

 and from the paler A. Frumentum, Reeve, which is probably only 

 a local variety of Ach. Gemma, by the two first-mentioned 

 characters. 



I have a large variety of A. Gemma, collected by Dr. Bacon, 

 which attains a length of 8 mill, by 3^ in breadth. 



A single specimen of Achatina Amentum, B., 24 mill, in length, 

 and with nine whorls, was found by Mr. W. Theobald in the 

 Valley of the Upper Nerbudda. It is not in good condition, 

 the upper whorls being bleached ; but the form and sculpture 

 leave little room for doubt as to its identity with the Calcutta 

 species, which is exceedingly rare, three specimens only having 

 been taken by me in a living state twenty-five years ago. They 

 were under a felled palm-tree [Borassus fiabelliformis) on the 

 Howrah bank of the river, between the Bishop's College and the 

 Botanic Gardens. The late Dr. Peai'son believed that he had 

 found the young shell, 2 lines in length, at Alipore, near Cal- 

 cutta. Search should be made for the species within the cool 

 and moist bases of the fronds of Palmyra, Cocoa-nut, and other 

 Palms. 



An undescribed Achatina occurs in the Mahabaleshwar Hills, 

 nearly related to A. Ceijlanica, Pfr., but differing from it in its 

 acuminate summit. The single specimen found by Lieut. Arthur 

 E. Benson is in too decayed a state for description. Its length 

 is 15 mill., and diameter 8 mill. Another smaller shell, of a 

 similar type, and with the summit less pointed, was taken by 

 Mr. Theobald at Teria Ghat, in the Khasia Hills. It is pro- 

 bably a new species ; and the examination of a perfect shell is 

 desirable. With it Mr. Theobald found a small solid form, in a 

 bleached condition, which appears to be a dwarf variety of A. 

 crassilabris, B., 11 mill, in length by 6 in diameter. 



A weathered and imperfect Achatina, sent by Mr. Theobald 

 from Orissa, resembles the Nilgherry A. Oreas, B., when of 

 immature growth. I have a pale variety of A. Oj-eas from 

 M. Petit, which was stated to have been received from Bombay. 

 It accords with the mountain type in all but colour. 



In Burmah Mr. Theobald got a variety of A. tenuispira on the 

 banks of the Irawady, and at Phie Than the young of a reversed 

 species, which is doubtless new. An adult specimen is a desi- 

 deratum. The young presents from three to four smooth hya- 

 line whorls, with a distinct truncation at the base. The shell 

 figured in ' Conchologia Iconica' as Bulimus Sikkimensis, Reeve, 

 proves to be an extremely young specimen of a fine Spiraxis, 

 of which an example with seven whorls, obtained at Darjiling 

 by Mr. W. T. Blanford, measures 27 mill, in length by nearly 

 10 ill diameter. 



