1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 187 



V. — Contributions to Indian Malacology, JVb. XL Descriptions of 

 new species of Paludomus, Cremnoconchus, Ci/clostoma, and of 

 Helicidce from various parts of India ; by W. T. Blanford, Esq., 

 A. R. S. M., F. a. S., &c. 



Dr. Stoliczka laid oh the table the beautifully executed drawings 

 accompanying the paper. Among the 18 new species noticed, several 

 belong to Nanina and Glessida (Achatina), the latter chiefly are from 

 Western and Southern India, the former as well, as some of the other 

 shells, are from the Khasi^and Cachar hills. The paper also contains 

 notes on ; several little or : imperfectly known species with regard 

 to shells, as well as to their animals. 



In answer to a question put by the Rev. J. Long, whether he had ex- 

 amined all the Mollusca occurring in lower Bengal, Dr. Stoliczka stated 

 that he had seen a great many of them, but it would not be possible 

 to give for some time a satisfactory account of all those he had 

 examined. The anatomical details require a large number of 

 illustrations, in order to be perfectly intelligible, and the same may be 

 said regarding the animals themselves. This involves a great expense, 

 and it will be chiefly on this account that the work can only be 

 published at intervals ; it is, however, in progress. 



Dr. St. also remarked that there are probably few places in the world 

 which offer so many remarkable Mollusca for examination, as the Sun- 

 darbans. He alluded to the great variations which some organs appear 

 to undergo by changes affecting the habit of the animals. In one 

 common species of the Cerithiid^, most of which are marine animals 

 and therefore possess gills adapted for breathing in water, this 

 respiratory organ seems to have altogether disappeared, having been 

 entirely replaced by lungs. This species, Cerithidea obtusa, occurring 

 generally on muddy banks all through the Sundarbans, dies when 

 immersed in water for any length of time. Dr. St. further observed 

 that he was most anxious to examine regarding this very peculiar 

 change some other specimens of the same species also occurring 

 along the Arracan coast, in places where pure sea- water has full access. 

 Three species of LiTTORiNiDiE, occurring at Port Canning on muddy 

 banks, and on trees and bushes near the river are, in this respect; 



