316 Notes on some Indian freshwater Shells. [No. 4. 



27. U. Parma,* B. — Common in the Irawadi and Tenasserim 

 rivers, 2.56—1.90. 



28. U. scutum,* B. — Common in the Tenasserim river, 3.90 — 2.05. 



Family. Cycladid^. 

 Corhicula. Miihlf. 



29. C. Arata,* B. — Common in the Tenasserim river. 



Family. Solenid^;. 



Novaculina. Benson. 



30. N. Gangetica, B. — Tenasserim river. This shell occurs in 

 great quantities in mud banks within the tideway, but in freshwater, 

 and is collected for food. My largest specimen measures 2.03 

 —0.88. 



The above is very far from being a complete list of the fluviatile 

 shells of the Provinces, but is given in default of a better. Many 

 species of shells are probably yet to be found, and I have a single 

 valve of a large species from the Bangong Nulla near Thaiet-mio, 

 which stream deserves attention. 



Mhow, June 9th, 1857. 



Daejiling and the Khasia Hills. 



In endeavouring to contribute (from personal observation as far 

 as practicable) to our knowledge of the distribution of land shells 

 in India, I think it will prove convenient, not to say necessary, to 

 divide India proper into three distinct regions, viz. the Himalayan, 

 the Central and the Southern region — neither do I think these 

 divisions will be found to be mere arbitrary ones, for though a few 

 species may be common to all and a still larger percentage to any 

 two, yet each is distinguished by a sufficient number of character- 

 istic forms, to render such an arrangement not one of mere conve- 

 nience, but essentially a natural one. In like manner Ceylon and 

 the Tenasserim Provinces form two very natural divisions, and 

 though I could wish that this subject had been taken up by one 

 having greater experience than myself, yet, as a beginning, I venture 

 to offer in the present paper, the results of my observations within 

 the area which has fallen beneath my examination. 



