Mr. W. H. Benson on new species of Helix. 251 



XXII. — Characters of new species of Helix from India, Mauritius 

 and the Cape of Good Hope ; also of a new Mauritian Torna- 

 tellina, with remarks on the habits of a Cape Succinea. By 

 W. H. Benson, Esq. 



1. Helix Baconi, nobis, n. s. 



Testa anguste perforata, depresso-turbinata, tenuissima, pellucida, 

 palUde cornea, supra nitidiuscula, eleganter decussatim corrugato- 

 striata, subtus polita, radiato-striata ; spira elevatiuscula, lente 

 crescente ; apice obtuso, fuscato ; sutura impressa ; anfractibus 5 

 subconvexis, superioribus supra fascia rufo-fusca angusta, demum 

 obsoleta marginatis, ultimo subcarinato, subtus convexo ; apertura 

 subverticali subquadrato-lunari ; peristomate acuto, margine colu- 

 mellari verticali cum basali augulum rotundatum efformante, supra 

 brevissime reflexo, 



Diam. major 14, minor 13, axis 7 mill. 



Hub. rarissime in agris Rohillanis, prope urbem Moradabad Indise 

 Septentrionalis . 



This beautifully sculptured shell is unapproached in character 

 by any of tlxeNanina or the nearly allied Helices of North -Western 

 India. The sculpture reminds the observer of that of H. ligu- 

 lata, Fer., and the narrow band below the suture adds strength 

 to the idea ; but the form of the shell, its substance, and the 

 number of whorls in relation to the diameter, forbid any suspi- 

 cion of its being the young of that shell, which, moreover, has 

 never been found in Rohilkhund nor in any neighbouring district, 

 and does not approach the province nearer than 200 miles to the 

 southward. 



A single specimen was taken alive, during the rains of 1843, 

 in a bush on the bank of the Gungun River, near Moradabad, by 

 my friend Dr. J. F. Bacon, and was kindly ceded by him to me, 

 from whom he had first imbibed his taste for conchology. No 

 other specimen occurred in the various entomological and con- 

 chological excursions made in the vicinity, and the shell has not 

 hitherto been met with in any other quarter. I dedicate it to its 

 zealous and active discoverer. 



2. Helix Orcula, nobis, n. s. 



Testa vix perforata, conico-globosa, cornea, translucente, scabra, ob- 

 Uque irregulariter costulato-striatissima ; apice obtuso ; anfractibus 

 3i convexis, ultimo rotundato, sutura profunda ; apertura obliqua 

 rotundata spiram vix aequante ; peristomate tenui acuto, margine 

 columellarl reflexo, perforationem semitegente. 



Diam. 2, axis 2 mill. 



Hab. in agro Bengalensi et Baharico, necnon versus occidentem us- 

 que ad ripas fluvii Goomty. 



This interesting little shell, which calls to mind Helix harpa, 



17* 



