178 Mr. W. H. Benson on the genus Alycseus, Gray. 



In estimating the length of the sutural tube, it is necessary 

 to observe whether its brevity or mediocre size is permanent and 

 natural, or due to decay or injury, especially in specimens which 

 have become brittle from weathering. In the species of which 

 I have been enabled to examine a series, I find that the perfect 

 tube is invariably of uniform length in each form. The character 

 is so important, that I have thought it worthy of notice in the 

 sectional arrangement. 



1. Ali/cicus Otiphorus, n. s. 



Testa perforata, ovato-globosa, minutissime confertim striata, cinereo- 

 cornea ; spira conica, apice obtusiusculo, rutilo, sutura valde im- 

 pressa ; anfractibus 4 convexis, ultimo ventricoso, ab apertura 

 subremote constricto, turn pone labrum tumidiusculo, Isevigato, 

 tubulum brevissimum suturalem gerente ; apertura vix obliqua, 

 peristomate duplici, interne continue, expanse, interdum breviter 

 porrecto, extenie dilatate, reflexo, ad unibibcum precessu auricu- 

 lari brevi, subito reflexo, perforatienem subtegente munito. Oper- 

 culo normali, cencaviusculo, planato. 



Long. 4\, diam. obliq. 4 mill. 



Habitat ad Pankabari (1000 ped. alt.) et in valle Rungun (4000 

 ped.) prope Darjiling Himalayanum. 



This shell, which seems to be not uncommon on the west 

 side of the Rungun valley, as well as at a lower elevation in the 

 Sikkim ranges, was forwarded to me by Mr. H. Blanford in 1857. 

 In form it approaches A. Amphora and constrictus, and, like the 

 latter, which belongs to the same type in the mode of constric- 

 tion, it is remarkable for the shortness of the sutural tube, but 

 is at once distinguished by the process of the peristome at the 

 umbilicus. 



2. Alycaus Bembex, n. s. 



Testa umbiUcata, ovato-conica, laevigata, bic illic striatula, striis ven- 

 triculi cenfertis, ad umbilicum striatula, hyalina ? ; spira elevato- 

 conica, sutura profunda, apice acutiusculo ; anfractibus 5, valde 

 convexis, ultime cempresse-retundato, pene stricturam modice 

 tumido, tubulum suturalem brevissimum gerente, pone aperturam 

 rursus tumidulo ; apertura obliqua, subcirculari, peristomate sim- 

 plici, tenui, undulato, expansiusculo, subreflexo, superne leviter 

 emarginate. Operc. ? 



Diam. major 4, minor 3, axis 4, long. .5 mill. 



Habitat in valle Rungun. 



This is one of the most elevated in the spire among the known 

 Himalayan Ahjcai. The specimens sent are all weathered, but 

 present no evidence of any considerable sculpture or colouring. 

 The very short sutural tube is a character shared by Otiphorus 

 and constrictus; and altogether the shell is deficient in promi- 



