SECOND YARKAND MISSION. 



II.-MOLLUSCA FROM KASHMIR AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OP MARI 



(MURREE) IN THE PUNJAB. 



THE change from the Indo-Malayan to the so-called European molluscous fauna at the 

 northern watershed of the Kashmir Valley is most abrupt and distinct; every species 

 found at Sonamarg belonging to the former, while, at only two days' march from thence 

 at Mataian, every shell belongs to the latter, as already above recorded. Major Godwin- 

 Austen, who has personally visited the locality, has been kind enough to inform me that it 

 is on crossing the pass called the " Zoji-la" into Dras, that the change becomes at once very 

 great, the aspect of the country entirely changing, the forest-clad hills of Kashmir disappear, 

 and, instead, one enters a sterile, dry country of higher elevation, altogether Tibetan in 

 character ; Sonamarg is within the drainage of the River Jhelum, whilst Mataian, on the 

 other hand, is within that of the River Indus. 



1. HELICARION AUSTENIANUS, n. sp., Figs. 22 24. 



This is a very distinct and peculiar form, well distinguished from all other Indian species ; 

 it is most like a dwarf H. flemingi, from which it is distinguished by its short, almost 

 globose form, &c. 



Shell much smaller than that of H. flemingi, more globose, suture more excavated, 

 and the spire more raised, apex more distinct; more rudely and regularly concentrically 

 plicated; whorls five, more convex, the last one not nearly so much dilated; texture 

 thinner and more membranaceous, of an equally dark, but brighter and more glossy colour ; 

 aperture about as high as broad; base a shade more convex, imperforate; columella less 

 oblique, very short and abruptly triangularly reflected. 



Diam. 15|, axis 7g ; apert. lat. 9^, alt. 9J mm. 



Some dozen specimens, several of which are preserved with the animal in spirit, were 

 brought back from Sonamarg. 



2. HELICARION FLEMINGI, Pfr. 



Vitrina flemingi, Pfr., P. Z. S., 1856, p. 324 (Sind) . 



Young specimen, of approximately same size as full grown H. austenianum (for com- 

 parison) : diam. 14i, axis 5f , alt. max. 9 ; apert. lat. 8|, alt. 8f mm. 



Dr. Stoliczka found this fine species tolerably abundant at Murree and Tinali. There are 

 several specimens with the animal in spirit. 



Diam. 40, axis 12, alt. max. 23'5 ; apert lat. 25, alt. 20 mm. 



