Chaster — On the MoUusca ohtained by the B.I.A. Cruises. 3 



species, perhaps sub-littoral in Arctic regions and abyssal in the 

 Mediterranean, In compiling these figures I have availed myself of 

 the information given in published accounts such as the " Porcupine " 

 expedition reports, for the first seven stations of the 1869 expedition 

 lie within the limits of the area under consideration. As regards 

 classification and arrangement, I have pretty closely followed the 

 scheme adopted in the Rev. Canon IS'orman's "Museum ISTormannia- 

 num." The deplorably incorrect nomenclature of Jeffreys' " British 

 Conchology " makes the matter of terminology a difficult one for a 

 student who, like myself, has but little leisure time, and but limited 

 opportunities for consulting the necessary literature. My endeavour 

 will be to employ the names which, by the rule of priority, must of 

 necessity be adopted. Unfortunately the number of changes is large, 

 but there seems to be no alternative course. 



As regards the value of sub-generic divisions, opinions may be 

 allowed to differ. It seems greatly to facilitate the close study of 

 some of the large groups, such as the Odostomice and Rissoce^ if the 

 species be arranged in small groups with distinctive generic names, 

 rather than to "lump " together a great assemblage of more or less 

 heterogeneous forms. 



I feel compelled to enter a strong protest against the useless and 

 ridiculous practice of " emending " the names which have been given 

 to species and genera — a practice greatly in vogue at the present time. 

 Can anyone pretend that the change of Kellia into KelJyia aids in any 

 way the study of the mollusc ? Quite the contrary, it is a hindrance, 

 increasing as it does the burden of synonymy, already weighing so 

 heavily upon the student. Moreover, an author is not responsible for 

 any want of classical erudition displayed in the names he quotes : to 

 each name is (or should be) appended the name of its originator, to whom 

 alone belongs any blame. Any attempt to tinker with original names 

 seems to me to savour strongly of pedantry and impertinence ; for the 

 original author may have possessed scholastic knowledge equal to that 

 of his critic. Are Sheneia, Hissout, Montaguia really improvements 

 upon 81ienea, Rissoa, Montacuta ? Let us take Rissoia : even if con- 

 chologists agree upon this, will the student of the sponges be willing 

 to similarly change the name Nardoa^ the only precisely analogous 

 case I know ? Prom Mr. MacAndrews' name there have been used 

 in the mollusca Macand/recB, Maccmdrai, Macandretvi, Macandrevia. 

 Can conchologists agree which of these is right, and will the student 

 of the Madrejwraria accept their decision for the correction of the 

 name of the little Irish coral Sphenotrochus Macandreivanus ? These 



B 2 



