On Proserpina opalina and Helix Proserpinula. 79 - 



butions to Conchology, in 1849, as a Proserpina, probably be- 

 cause Pfeiffer had referred it in 1848 to Odontostoma* in the 

 first volume of his Monographia. 



Helix Proserpinula Pfr., was first described as P. discoidea in 

 1850, by Adams, in the Contributions. He there remarks, 

 " This species is nearly allied to P. opalina. Being a genuine 

 Proserpina without teeth, it suggests the propriety of omitting 

 the phrase 'apertura intus dentata,' from the description of the 

 genus." In 1850 Pfeiffer described it as H. Proserpinula in the 

 Zeitschrift. 



It turns out, curiously enough, that Adams was right in re- 

 garding Proserpina opalina as a Helix, and that it was trans- 

 ferred in error by Pfeiffer to Proserpina ; and on the other 

 hand, that Pfeiffer was correct in referring Adams's P. discoidea 

 to Helix. This is, I think, satisfactorily proved by the fact, 

 that in both the spiral column and septa remain intact, as ap- 

 pears always to be the case in Helix. I exhibit specimens of 

 both species, opened so as to show the alteration of internal 

 structure. 



The return of this species to the genus Helix renders a new 

 specific name necessary, inasmuch as those of hyalina, opalina^ 

 and margarita, are pre-occupied, and I accordingly suggest that 

 of infortunata. 



The synonymy will then stand as follows : 



Helix infortunata Bland, 1854 



hyalina C. B. Ad. olim in Sched. 



opalina C. B. Ad. in Proc. Bosk Soc. p. 16, Jan. 1845 



margarita Pfr. in Zeit. f. Mai. p. 93, June 1845 



Chemn. Ed. If. Helix t. 100, f. 24-27. 



Odontostoma opalinum Pfr. in Monog. Hel. Viv. L 12, 1848 

 Proserpina opalina Pfr. 1. c. IIL p. 292, 1853 

 Chemn. L c. p. 13. 



Pfeiffer in his third volume adopts the genus Proserpina. 



