JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY. • 7 



answer. As a working hypothesis Darwin's so-called theory has 

 proved to many very useful, but no one can doubt that the 

 history of species is a record we are only beginning to decipher, 

 and that here is work for every one of us to do. Worthier 

 work by far than the mere multiplication of species, or the sub- 

 division of genera, or the reduction of scientific nomeclature 

 through constant change to a Babel-like confusion of tongues. 



How did all these various forms of life, individually so stable 

 and yet in the long run so changing — how did they come into being? 

 Derived from any known source they are not. The amazing 

 genealogical chains which sensational science delights to con- 

 struct, are all flawed by the missing links which in them all are 

 missing still. How did the varied forms of life originate? 

 That is the great problem with the solution of which this Society, 

 in common with so many others is occupied— and Madeira with 

 its one hundred and thirty-three peculiar land shells within so 

 small a space really puts into an intelligible form that great 

 question which in its greatness is unmanageable— How did this 

 crowd of perfectly isolated species come into being ? 



Vertigo pusilla MiiU. in Lancashire. — At the meet- 

 ing of the Manchester Branch, on November 12th, I had the 

 pleasure of exhibiting specimens of this species taken by Mr. 

 F. C. Long, of Burnley, during a visit to Silverdale in July 

 last. They were found amongst moss, and are rather larger 

 and lighter-coloured than the Ingleton speciniens. This, being 

 the first-known record for the county, is of considerable interest. 

 — R. Standen, November i6th, i8gi. 



Planorbis albus m. scalariforme at Penistone.— In 



the ' Scout Dam ' at Penistone I have recently come across 

 numerous examples of P. albus m. scalariforme. As this form 

 has not apparently been noticed, it may be interesting to note 

 it. — Lionel E. Adams, Penistone, yiy/y 9, i8g\. 



