THE MOLLUSCA OF TORRES STRAITS. 153 



with the Gastropoda, but the Pelecypoda, so far as we are aware, 

 have not yet been treated. Many new forms, especially amongst 

 the minutiora, are described, but unfortunately not figured, the 

 types all remaining in Australia, we believe mostly in the Aus- 

 tralian Museum, Sydney. For our own part, we have been as 

 careful as possible in the comparison of all our undetected forms 

 with these descriptions. 



It is to be deplored that Mr. Brazier has not always used 

 language the reverse of vague ; still more unfortunate is it that 

 as the Mollut^ca of the ' Chevert ' Expedition were published 

 before those of the ' Challenger,' we are given to understand that 

 they claim priority in not a few instances over Dr. Boog Watson's 

 concise, clear, and admirably illustrated diagnoses. This increase 

 of synonymy is much to be deprecated, and we would press for an 

 insistence of the rule that no mere verbal description should 

 suffice, but that a figure must be published simultaneously, before 

 a new species be recognized. 



4. The Yotage of H.M.S. ' Alert ' * 



The full and very interesting account of tlieMoUusca obtained 

 during this expedition has been of the utmost service to us 

 while preparing this paper. 



Indeed we are now, as upon many previous occasions, under 

 a deep sense of obligation to Mr. Smith, who has compared with 

 us all doubtful forms and given us every assistance at the British 

 Museum (Natural History). 



The specialities of this collection will be dealt with in their 

 proper place. Sulfice to state here that of the twenty-four species 

 we consider new to science, one, a Neritoid with some superficial 

 resemblance to VaniTcoro, must stand as the type of a new genus; 

 and a remarkable Fholadomya, with almost equilateral valves, is 

 also noteworthy. 



The arrangement adopted in the sequence of the following 

 Catalogue is that of Paul Fischer, as given in the ' Manuel de 

 Conchyliologie,' and we have also followed the same author to a 

 great extent in the nomenclature. 



* Eeport on the Zoological Collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean 

 during the Voyage of H.M.S. ' Alert,' 1881-82. London (Brit. Mus.), printed 

 by order of the Trustees, 1884. Mollusca, by Edgar A. Smith (pp. 34-116). 



