THE NAUTILUS. 11 



On the generic name Anostoma At the time I prepared a 



monograph of this genus (Man. of Conch., XIV, p. 109, 1901) I did 

 not notice that two modifications of the same name were already in 

 use : Anostomus Klein in Walbaum, Pet. Arted., Gen. Pise, III, p. 

 659, 1792, and Anastomus Bonnaterre, Encycl. Meth., Ornith., p. 

 xciii, 1790. Whether these conflict with the molluscan Anostoma 

 depends upon whether the different spelling be held to constitute a 

 different name — a question still in dispute. Tomogeres Montf. is the 

 next name applied to the molluscan Anostoma. — H. A. P. 



On the Pathology of Sphjerium. — Among thousands of 

 Sphcerium solidulum Pr., in company with several other species, from 

 Des Moines, Iowa, collected and sent for examination by Mr. T. van 

 Hyning, there were several dozen specimens of special interest, ab- 

 normal and evidently of a pathological nature. They were consid- 

 erably smaller than the average, almost globular, the beaks being 

 nearly as broad as in the normal form — apparently representing a 

 distinct species. At the anterior margin of the shell there was a 

 more or less marked scar, contiguous to the anterior adductor muscle 

 and the lateral teeth. This was evidently caused in all specimens 

 by one and the same agency, probably a parasite affecting the mantle 

 edges in some way and thus causing the deformity of the shell. And 

 the effect was not only local, as is evident by the fact that a coarse 

 line of growth, from that place, all around both valves is noticeable 

 in nearly all specimens thus affected, and the normal growth of the 

 whole mussel was checked. Some larger specimens, of more or less 

 irregular growth, show the same scar at the same place, in some in- 

 stances only slightly marked. 



Similar mussels have been noticed before, from other places, but 

 never in such numbers. Also some Pisidia were seen similarly af- 

 fected. It is hoped that fresh, living specimens will be obtained, in 

 order to ascertain the cause of the deformity. — V. Sterki. 



PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 



CATALOGO DE LOS MOLUSCOS TESTAOEOS DE LAS ISLAS FlLIPI- 



nas, Jolo y Marianas. I, Moluscos Marinos, por J. G. Hidalgo, 

 1905, xvi + 408 pp. Since 1840, when the description of Cuming's 

 rich collection was begun, the Philippines have been noted for the 

 great number and beauty of their marine Bhells. A very large num- 



