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THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



GUNDLACHIA : A VICTORIAN DESIDERATA. 



By C. Hedley, F.L.S., of the Australian Museum, Sydney. 



Lately I have had occasion to study a most interesting genus of 

 freshwater shells, Gundlachia, in which a tiny Ancylus, or fresh- 

 water limpet, seems to be stuck aslant upon the summit of 

 another. 



This genus has two species in Tasmania, one of which extends 

 to South Australia. It is quite likely, therefore, that it may also 

 turn up in Victoria. To enable collectors to recognize it I have 

 had engraved a couple of sketches that I drew for the purpose. 

 The left hand figure shows the interior of G. Petterdi, the right 

 the exterior of G. Beddomei. Both are much magnified. 



They live in shallow, stagnant pools, and cling to water weeds, 

 dead sticks, and leaves. A casual glance would most likely 

 mistake it for Ancylus, which it much resembles in size and 

 colour. 



For further details the reader is referred to a memoir about to 

 appear in the " Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South 

 Wales." 



Should any of the members of the club succeed in detecting 

 this genus in their colony, I should be glad to hear of the 

 circumstance. 



