770 



{g) MOLLUSCA (Pulmonata). 



By A. R. Riddle. 



Of the shells secured by Captain White, at least thre« 

 species are represented. The writer is indebted to Dr. J. C 

 Verco for the opportunity of examining types and other 

 specimens in both his own and the Museum collections, and 

 also to Mr. C. Hedley, Assistant Curator and Conchologist to 

 the Sydney Museum, for the opportunity of consulting the 

 literature in that institution, as well as placing under contri- 

 bution his own expert knowledge of Australian land shells. 



Xanthomelon perinflatum, Pfeiffer. 

 Kelix perinflata, Pfeiffer: P.Z.S., 1863, p. 528. 

 Xanthomelon perinflatum, Hedlej^ : Rpt. Horn Sc. Exp. to 

 Cent. Aust., 1896, pt. ii., p. 224. 



The specimens obtained comprise both live and dead shells. 

 The live shells show but very faintly the broad rufous band, 

 just above the periphery, which was a marked feature in many 

 of the Elder Expedition shells. (D 



Captain White writes: — "The dead and bleached shells 

 of this species were very numerous all through the country, 

 between Moorilyanna Native Well and the Musgrave and 

 Everard Ranges, more especially on the rising ground near 

 those ranges. Where the shells occurred in large numbers 

 quantities of leaves and dried herbage were found among 

 them, which suggests that during good seasons a creeping 

 herbage covers the ground into which the snails make their 

 way. Live shells were taken in Glen Ferdinand (Musgrave 

 Ranges) and in the Everard Range. In both cases they were 

 found sealed with the epiphragm, lying under debris in creek 

 beds. This shell, no doubt, provides an article of food for 

 the natives, as large quantities were found heaped up near 

 the remains of old fires. This species is also collected in great 

 numbers by the Bower-bird (Clilamydera maculata macdon- 

 ndli) in the Everard Range, and is found heaped up at the 

 entrance to their play-houses." 



Among the shells is a single immature specimen, the 

 identification of which is somewhat uncertain. It shows a 

 close likeness to the immature shells in a series of X. perin- 

 flatvm in the Adelaide Museum collections, but the slight 

 callus on the colum.ella is brownish. 



Bednall,(2) in the Elder Expedition results, gives an 

 account, under Helix perinflafa, of some dwarf shells resemb- 

 ling H. ftindersi, but lacking the colour-band of that species. 



0-)Vide Bedniall : Trans. 'Roy. See, S.A., vol. xvi., p. 62. 

 (2)Loc. cit., supra. 



