438 IT.-COL. H. H. GODWIN-ATJSTEN OS THE LAND- [May 21 , 



6. List aud Distribution of the Land-MoUusca of the 

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with Descriptions of 

 some supposed new Species. By Lieut. -Col. H. H. 

 Godwin-Austen, F.R.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



[Eeceived May 21, 1895.] 



I. Introductory Remarks, p. 438. 

 II. Table of Distribution, p. 441. 

 III. Notes and Descriptions of new Species, p. 446. 



I. Iniroducfory RemarTcs. 



The molkiscan fauna of the Audaiiiau and Nicobar Islands has 

 received, since their occupation, a considerable amount of attention 

 at the hands of many good naturalists and collectors. The first 

 collectiou was made in 1846 by the staff attached to the Danish 

 frigate ' Galathea,' commanded by M. S. Bille, at the time 

 Denmark was in possession of the Nicobar Group : this was 

 described by Professor A. C. L. Morcb, of Copenhagen. This 

 expedition, sent by King Christian VIII., was very well organized : 

 there were three zoologists, Professors Behn of Kiel, J. Eeinhardt 

 of Copenhagen, and Kjellerup, two botanists, Drs. Didrichsen and 

 Kampioner, and a geologist, Dr. Eink ; the Prussian botanist 

 'J'h. Philippi also became attached to the expedition. 



Of the above, Prof. Eeinhardt paid most attention to the 

 Mollusca. 



In 1858 the Austrian frigate 'Novara' visited the Nicobars, 

 but no material addition was made to what had been already 

 obtained there. 



After the formation of our great penal colony at Port Blair, 

 many other naturalists from time to time visited the Andamans, 

 and received every possible assistance from the Chief Commis- 

 sioners in charge. Among those who thus helped to swell the 

 list of the Land-Shells we can record the names of C'olonel 

 Haughton, Ferdinand Stoliczka, V. Ball, J. Wood-Mason, Major 

 Wilmer, &c. ; and Benson described a good many species. 



Through the kindness of nearly all these collectors I have been 

 able to secui-e specimens. My brother, Harold Godwin-Austen, 

 was for several years an Assistant-Commissioner at Port Blair, 

 and visited many parts of the islands before unexplored ; he 

 collected for me and sent home a number of species preserved in 

 spirit, which have proved of great value. 



Lastly, I have had the very large collection formed by another 

 Assistant at Port Blair, Mr. F. A. De Eoepstoiff, placed in my 

 hands by his widow. 



This officer was the son of the last Danish Governor of the 

 Nicobars, subsequently ceded to Great Britain. He was an inde- 



