114 THE NAUTILUS. 
best means for collecting them isa rather long (8-12 inches) net of 
strong canvas, such as used for embroidery work, fastened toa ring 
of strong wire’, five to eight inches diameter, with a handle, to be 
used either directly, or fastened to a stick, or pole up to ten or 
twelve feet long. For deep waters a dredge should be used. The 
“stuff” gathered is shaken and washed until the remains are free of 
fine mud, then in a basket, sack, or some other suitable receptacle 
brought home, where the mollusks, Corbiculidae and others, may be 
picked out at leisure. If they are not to be kept alive, it is best to 
spread the materials on large pieces of paper, or cloth (bed sheet e. 
g.) and let them become dry. In this way, especially if one or 
several fine sieves are used, they are most easily found ; and none of 
them should be overlooked, as some forms are very minute, and the 
young of all are of interest, while fully grown specimens are compar- 
atively scarce, and so are certain species in some places. If sent 
for examination, all from a locality are best left mixed up, and not 
separated, but with notes on the nature of their habitat. 
Hundreds, and thousands of specimens may be secured in a short 
time, not to speak of other mollusks, among which, last not least, 
very young Unionidse. The best places are, as a rule, among 
aquatic plants, and also in deep places, or holes, where the mussels 
are washed together. But it must also be said, that they are found 
most actively propagating in late fall and early winter. 
New Philadelphia, Ohio, Jan., 1895. 
Notre. In Dr. Sterki’s article in the January Naurizus, the 
word nacre should be read instead of “‘ nave” on page 97, 9th line 
from foot of page, and also on page 99, 16th line from top. 
Pisidium punctatum has also been found in Lake Michigan and 
in Herkimer Co., N. Y. 
NEW AMERICAN FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS. 
BY H. A. PILSBRY. 
Planorbis alabamensis n. sp. 
Shell small, whitish corneous, solid, lens-shaped ; intermediate in 
form between P. exacutus and P. dilatatus. Upper surface convex, 
‘ Where fastened to the wire, the net should be enveloped with strong cloth, 
or leather, lest it will wear off; and the seams should be securely sewed. 
