'98 MOLLUSC A. 



important relating to the Red Sea mollusca is that oi Professor Arthur 

 Issel, of Genoa, entitled, ' Malacologia del Mar Rosso,' Pisa, 1869. I 

 have taken this work as covering and including all previous researches 

 upon the subject. The monographs of Reeve, subsequent to 1869, have 

 been referred to, and the whole series has been searched for information 

 relative to the distribution of those species now first included in the 

 Red Sea fauna. Kiener's works in the Conchylien Cabinet have been 

 also consulted. 



Next to Issel's, the most important memoir devoted to the con- 

 chology of the Red Sea is that of Mr. R. McAndrew ' On Testaceous 

 Mollusca obtained in the Gulf of Suez,' published in the Annals and 

 Magazine of Natural History, Dec, 1870. 



Pagenstecker's account of the shells collected by Robe Kossman in 

 the Red Sea has been referred to. 



No doubt other scattered papers exist. The above references have 

 been communicated to me by Mr. Smith. 



In addition, in Burton's 'Land of Midian,' vol. ii., pp. 119-121, 

 1879, will be found a list of shells (determined by the able concho- 

 logist of the British Museum) collected on the Midian shore. In Dr. 

 Beke's ' Sinai in Arabia,' 1878, there is an appendix containing a list of 

 shells collected at 'Akabah, and determined by Mr. John Milne, F.G.S. 

 These have been gone through and summarized. 



My lists from 'Akabah and 'Ayljn Mfisa contain 166 determined species, 

 and about half a dozen unnamed. Of these no less than fifty-six appear 

 to be additional to the fauna of the Red Sea as exhibited in the above- 

 mentioned works. Several of these will, perhaps, prove to be synonyms 

 for other known Red Sea forms, but I have endeavoured, as far as lay in 

 my power, to avoid falling into this error. These additions are distin- 

 guished by a prefixed asterisk. 



The extraordinary profusion and variety of life in the Red Sea is well- 

 known, and has been already commented upon. It is all the more 

 remarkable when contrasted and brought face to face with the barrenness 

 alongside — the poverty in all forms of terrestrial existence which its coasts 

 exhibit. 



The continuity of shallow seas and margins of continents in hio-h 

 temperatures and somewhat similar latitudes no doubt explains the 



