PREFACE. 



THE first volume of the Land Mollusca, forming part of the 

 4 Fauna of British India' series, and comprising the families 

 of Testacellidse and Zonitidse, was issued in 1908 under the 

 joint authorship of the late Dr. W. T. Blanford and Lieut.- 

 Colonel H. H. Godwin- Austen. 



It was at first anticipated that the second volume would 

 be the joint production of Lieut. -Colonel God win- Austen 

 and the present writer. Unexpected circumstances have, 

 however, unfortunately deprived me of the advantage of the 

 former's cooperation. This is the more to be regretted as it 

 involves the loss of a considerable quantity of additional 

 anatomical details, the result of his recent researches, which 

 would have greatly increased the value of the present 

 volume ; and, further, that his own collection and that of 

 the late Dr. Blanford both very rich in Indian Mollusca, 

 and both in the custody of the British Museum have in 

 consequence been inaccessible to me. 



Very valuable assistance in the preparation of this work 

 has been rendered by many malacologists, both at home and 

 abroad. Foremost among L these I would thank Mr. E. A. 

 Smith and Mr. John H. Ponsonby for advice on many critical 

 points. The latter, besides giving me free access to his 

 extensive collection, has in addition very kindly looked 

 through the proofs and offered many valuable suggestions. 

 Mr. G. C. Leman, the present owner of the late Colonel 

 Beddome's collection unrivalled in its wealth of Indian 

 shells, has very generously placed much valuable material 

 at my disposal, and Mr. G. C. Robson has greatly facilitated 



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