THE MOLLUSCA OF COLORADO/ PART I 



By Junius Henderson 



When the writer began the study of the molluscan fauna of Colorado 

 a few years ago, the fact that most emphatically and persistently pre- 

 sented itself was the almost total lack of interest in and knowledge of 

 the subject among the biologists of the state. A few conchologists 

 had visited our mountain regions, but the great plains area was untouched 

 except for the visit of Mr. Simpson to the extreme northeastern comer 

 of the state. In response to requests for information, directed to the 

 teachers of various branches of natural history in our public schools and 

 other institutions of learning, it was not at all encouraging constantly to 

 receive the reply that there are no mollusks (or "shell-fish," in popu- 

 lar parlance) in Colorado. However, a few teachers and laymen were 

 found who were sufficiently interested to have collected shells in a 

 modest way and some faithful friends promised to help the work along 

 — promises which have been fulfilled — for such work, to be effective, 

 must be co-operative. If this paper does nothing more than convince 

 teachers and the general public that we have in all parts of the state 

 an interesting and much neglected fauna, it will be worth while. 



In addition to this lack of interest, another great difficulty and one 

 which may never be wholly overcome, has arisen from doubts as to the 

 accuracy of identification in many instances in the early reports, some 

 of which doubts cannot now be cleared up. The matter was further 

 complicated by the confusion of species new to science with species 

 theretofore described. The fact that the records are scattered through 

 publications not available in small libraries and that the literature of 

 the subject is in other respects unsatisfactory, tended to discourage local 

 naturalists from undertaking the work which we now feel should be no 

 longer delayed. 



A number of lists of Colorado mollusks were long ago published 

 as a result of the efforts of a few collectors, as shown by the bibliography 

 accompanying this sketch, but none of them were at all complete. Inger- 



' This paper will be followed by one treating the Gastropods. 



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