OF SOUTHERN INDIA. 131 
too out of one series of shells, of which the animals are evidently perfectly the 
same as regards any specific distinctions. All that appears likely is, that any classi- 
fication depending upon the existence of two varices in one, or three in two whorls, 
must be given up as of principal importance, and that a number of genera ought 
then to be framed according to the general form and a summary of other distinctive 
marks, as has been partially proposed by H. and A. Adams. It must be eranted 
that the varices are in many species scrupulously constant in their position, and that 
they will always form good marks of distinction, but certainly they are not so to 
the extent of forming strict generic separations. So long, however, as only speci- 
mens of ‘distinguished beauty’ are recorded and represented in our collections, it 
is indeed a difficult task to entertain hopes, that any one will succeed in a generic 
arrangement of the family. The following would perhaps summarise the present 
state of our knowledge. 
1,—Ranella ; as in Gray’s Guide, 1857, p. 89; the examination of the opercula 
only can fix any certainty of distinction from 
2.—Lampas ; ovate shells, with distinct and open posterior canal, very short 
anterior canal like Tritoniwm lampas, Ranella foliata, and others (Aspa,. Adams, 
included). 
3.—Apolion ; produced anterior canal ; last whorl ventricose; outer lip much 
thickened on the margin; no, or at least not an open, posterior canal, with two 
varices on each whorl; species like Ranella gigantea, gyrinus, and others. 
A.-—Hupleura ; as stated by Adams, Genera, I, p. 107. 
5.—Persona; (Distortio, Adams, Gen. I, p. 104.) 
6.—Simplum ; shell ovate; whorls nodulose ; last ventricose; canal distinct, more 
or less produced; margins of aperture strongly thickened; outer lip exteriorly 
bounded by a varix, internally thick, dentate; posterior canal indicated, not open. 
Under this name could probably be better included the species quoted by Adams in 
the sub-genera Simplum, Cabestana, Lottorium, and Gutturnium, Tritonium and Clan- 
destinum, Chem, and others. The distinction from Apollon would be based simply 
upon the number of tubercles within restricted limits. Imperfect specimens will 
be difficult to separate from Zritoniwn, although from the nature of the outer lip 
the varices ought to be always much stronger. 
7.—Epidromus ; vide Adams’ Gen. I, p. 103, probably not excluding Ranella 
anceps. 
8.—Tritonium,* as restricted (Adams’ Gen. I, p. 102), ovately elongated, canal 
short; outer lip thickened in front, somewhat reflected with sharpened outer edge ; 
inner lip thin, posteriorly more or less expanded, and near the posterior angle of 
the aperture with a fold-like tooth ;—Ranella candisata probably included. 
9.—Lagena ; shell thin, more like that in Neptwnea ; whorls roundish or aneu- ~ 
lated with short transverse ribs, and mostly obsolete varices ; margins of the aper- 
ture continuous; inner lip with a fold-like tooth posteriorly ; outer lip internally 
* In a case so easily remedied as this, I do not see the advantage of supposing, that the meaning applied 
to a word by any one should be misunderstood as applying to a reptile, where he is only speaking of a shell. 
