78 JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY. 



SHELL HUNTING IN MERIONETHSHIRE. 



By G. W. chaster 



(Read before the Coiichological Society, July 27th, 1892). 



In June last, when enjoying a short hohday in Merioneth- 

 shire, I devoted part of my time to searching for moUusca, and as 

 will be seen from the appended list, the captures were by no 

 means poor as regards either number or rarity. 



For a few days I met with nothing very striking, taking 

 merely such forms as Hyalinia excavata, H.glal>ra, H. radiatiiJa, 

 Limax flaviis, etc. 



However, one day when in a rather out-of-the-way neigh- 

 bourhood matters all at once began to improve. Succinea putris 

 was seen on rushes, and Belix fusca on the leaves of the Meadow- 

 sweet, and on searching at this spot Helix lamellaia and Vertigo 

 substriata were taken. Being only able to spend a very short 

 time here, as the ground seemed to promise so well, one of the 

 calico bags I always carry about was filled with material 

 for further examination. This yielded a truly splendid harvest. 

 In addition to the forms mentioned. Helix aatleata, H. pyginea, 

 Piipn ringens, Vertigo edentula, H. pura, H. radiatula, H. 

 alliaria, H. crystallina, H. fulva, Cochlicopa luhrica, Cnrychiiim 

 minimum, and to my delight several specimens of Aciciila lineata 

 var. alba. 



To obtain a further supply of this conchological treasure I 

 visited the spot again. Here was taken a single specimen of 

 H. nitida. In a few minutes I was taking Acicula in such 

 abundance as I suppose has rarely been noted before. The 

 beautiful cream-coloured mollusc was very conspicuous, and in 

 two hours I took 98 specimens. The animals were frequently 

 found in groups of 4, 5, or even 6 together. 



With regard to the exact habitat I am anxious to examine 

 Mr. Heathcote's Fleetwood locality before writing on thif 



J.C., vii., July, 1892. 



