THE NAUTILUS. 3 



There are two groups whose members deserve our special attention 

 and study; that of P. muscorum L. and that of Vertigo decora Gld. 

 and their allies, and especially of these, any specimens from known 

 localities will be of much value. 



A number of forms must be added here, not yet published, as 

 known only from one or few specimens each, most of them, in all 

 probability, being good species. But it must be borne in mind that 

 varieties and local forms very often are of a higher interest than 

 new species for systematic zoology and zoogeography. 



The present article has, consequently, two aims : first, to show what 

 is known, at present, of species and varieties and their distribution ; 

 second, to point out those parts of the continent where collecting 

 and as far as possible strenuous and careful search is most needed. 

 Any conchologist who has a chance of visiting parts of those " blanks " 

 will be sure to do good work, especially by using expedient methods 

 of collecting : sifting from dead leaves, moss, grass ; brushing off 

 rocks, stones, logs, stumps, pieces of bark, old chips, etc. Fine 

 sifted drift on rivers, brooks, etc., should be carefully gathered 

 wherever possible, and the results will, almost everywhere, be richer 

 than expected, not only in Pupidse but also in Hyalina and other 

 small and minute land shells. 



I am'indebted to Messrs. H. A. Pilsbry, Edw. S. Morse, Theo. I). 

 A. Cockerell, Henry Hemphill and many other fellow-malacologists 

 all over the country for kindly sending me specimens and valuable 

 notes ; to all of them my hearty thanks. 



A few notes will be found at the end of the list. 



Strobila Mse.' 



Str. hubbardi Brown. Gulf States. 

 Str. labyrinthica Say. Eastern Prov. 



Pupa Drap. 



Subg. Papilla Leach. 



P. muscorum L. (type). Northeastern U. S. 



var. ? Kevada. 



P. blandi Mse. Rocky Mountains. 

 P. signata Mouss. Rocky ]Mountains. 



hebes Anc. Rocky Mountains. 



sublubrica Anc. Rocky Mountains. 



