JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY. 33 



locality now assigned to it ; the nearest approach to it would 

 seem to be Z. jitcundus (Sowb.) c. f. "Proc. Zool. Soc," 1878, 

 p. 798, pi. xlviii., fig. 6, fi-om which, however, it is abundantly 

 distinct in the sculpture of the whorls and other minor particulars. 



It will rank about the fourth in size in the genus ; Z. tigris 

 (Mart.) coming first, with Z. Cunniiigliamii (Gray) and Z specta- 

 bilis (Gray) following. The smoothness of the whorls of Z. 

 haltarchus, the straight sides and light appearance of the shell, 

 suggest affinities with Z Tranqiiebariciis (Chem.) from Tranque- 

 bar ; but this is merely superficial. Again, in its painting, 

 with fuscous purple flames radiating round the basal periphery, 

 it recalls some forms of the Z conuloides (Lam.), a well-known 

 inhabitant of our own shores. 



The name selected for this magnificent shell aAtaexos, or 

 '* Ruler of the Sea," would seem well deserved. 



Helix cantiana monst. sinistrorsum in England. — 



Through the kindness of Miss F. M. Hele I have become 

 possessed of a reversed specimen of this species, one of several 

 found in Wiltshire by Mr. Rippon, of Norwood. The only 

 other record I am aware of, is that by M. Jules Colbeau, who 

 states that M. Nyst once found a specimen at Antwerp, Belgium. 

 — Jno. W. Taylor. 



Respiration of Ancylus fluviatilis. — I trust your 

 correspondent, Mr. W. A. Gain, will pardon me for taking ex- 

 ception to his explanation of the manner in which A. fluviatilis 

 obtains its supply of air. I grant that during the day the vege- 

 tation is constantly giving off oxygen, and also that, for purposes 

 of combustion, this gas is five times more effective than at- 

 mospheric air. But it is much too effective for purposes of 

 respiration. Animals need oxygen, but they cannot live in an 

 atmosphere of oxygen, and know no reason why the mollusk in 

 question should be regarded as an exception to the rule. — 

 Chas. a. Whatmore. 



