Mollusks. 4127 



Having for the last few months been staying in South Oxfordshire, 

 I purpose giving a few remarks on the species found there, in order 

 that 1 may render my Oxfordshire list of shells more complete. 



The neighbourhood of Watlington, which is about sixteen miles 

 to the South-east of Oxford, has but little water, and therefore I did 

 not search much for the water-shells, and those few I found were con- 

 tained in my previous catalogue. In land-shells, however, the loca- 

 lity would not be easily surpassed, since the magnificent beech-woods 

 which crown the Chiltern Hills form a splendid preserve for shells. 



The beech would seem to be an especial favourite with Mollusca, 

 more so than any other tree ; the smooth bark is what they delight 

 in, and after showers the stems may be seen literally covered with 

 many species, as the following notes will testify. The rotting leaves 

 also afford food and shelter to many species. 



With the exception of Helix Pomatia and H. granulata, the land- 

 shells mentioned in the former list (Zool. 3761) are found also round 

 Watlington ; as well as the following twenty-three additional species, 

 and two good varieties, — Helix aspersa var. alba, and H. ericetorum 

 var. obliterata. 



Arion flavus, Forbes and Hanley. This new species (?) is found, 

 though but rarely, under and on moss &c. in the beech-woods. 

 „ hortensis. Rare, in the woods. 



Limax maximus. The variety of this species which has the shield 

 spotted with black, and the back marked with longitudinal black lines, 

 is not uncommon on the hedge-banks of the Henley road, from half a 

 mile to a mile from Watlington ; I have also found it at Pyrton. 



„ arborum, Forbes fy Hanley. Very abundant in the beech- 

 woods. It delights in crawling up and down the moist stems of the 

 beeches to a considerable height. The remark made by Miiller in his 

 ' Historia Vermium ' seems very applicable : he says it is "in fago 

 vulgaris, vere et Novembro." It is very distinct from L. maximus, 

 the sculpturing on the back in particular being totally different. 



Vitrina pellucida. Very rare : a single specimen in Sherborne Wood. 



Helix aspersa, var alba. I took some half-dozen specimens of this 

 pretty variety on a hedge-bank at the foot of Watlington Hill ; other 

 specimens found in company with them were remarkably pale, though 

 marked in the usual way. 



„ hybrida. A few specimens among brambles, near Watling- 

 ton Church. 



„ lapicida. Not uncommon in the woods. 

 „ fulva. Moist ground among moss, Pyrton. 



