2 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MIDLAND MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Investigations on the Variation and Life-History of British Land 

 AND Freshwater Molluscs. 



A Committee, consisting of Messrs. J. R. B. Masefield, F. Taylor, R. J- Welch, 

 and A. E. Boycott, has been appointed by the Council of the Conchological Society of 

 Great Britain and Ireland for the purpose of conducting a collective investigation 

 of phenomena connected with the variation and life-history of British Land and 

 Freshwater Mollusca. The object of the investigation is to inquire into points liable 

 to general uncertainty and to local or other variation, and into the diffusion and 

 dispersal of species, by collecting the results of the individual experience of many 

 naturalists. A certain small number of subjects for investigation will be published 

 each year, and it is hoped that an abundance of replies will be received, so that 

 the results may be thoroughly representative. The following five subjects have 

 been selected for 1901: 



(i) How far is the smell of "garlic" constantly associated with Hyalinia 

 alliaria? under what circumstances and at what seasons of the year is it most 

 noticeable ? does H. alliaria seem to escape destruction by other organisms more 

 than the rest of the genus? is the smell of "garlic" found in other species and 

 under what circumstances ? 



(2) Have you in any case found any species or variety of land snail constantly 

 associated with any particular plant ? 



(3) Is any preference shown by {i) If. aspersa, (2) F. rufcsceas for the neigh- 

 bourhood of human habitations and buildings? if so, what explanation do you 

 consider the most probable ? 



(4) What localities produce the largest specimens of Anodonta? Describe the 

 nature of the water, soil, geological formation, etc., and give the dimensions and, 

 if possible, the weight. 



(5) In the genus Helix, where not indigenous, when and how were any of the 

 species introduced ? It is desired to put on record as far as possible the date of 

 introduction of any species into any given locality, both from abroad into the British 

 Isles and from one part of the country to another. 



The locality for which each answer is recorded should be carefully given, with 

 any details of geological formation, altitude, vegetation, etc., etc. which may seem 

 desirable. All returns should reach the Secretary (A. E. Boycott, The Grange, 

 Hereford), by September ist, igoi. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE MIDLAND 

 MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



24TH (ANNUAL) MEETING, December 7th, 1900. 



The President in the chair. 



Professor Ludwig Plate of Berlin was unanimously elected one of the six honorary 

 members on the recommendation of the Council. 



The Annual Report of the Council and the Treasurer's Statement were read and 

 adopted. 



The Secretary reported that as no amendments had been received to the Council's 

 nominations, the following would constitute the Council and Officers for 1901 : — 



President— Walter E. Collinge. 



Treasurer — H. H. Bloomer. 



