1886. ] Zoology. 75 
cate that the specimens found in the American bees were other 
than Spherularia bombi, except that they were a trifle larger than 
the size usually given for that species. Dufour states the length 
of S. bombi to be from “6-8 lin.” Lubbock “ nearly one inch,” 
and Leuckart “1.5 cm.” Further examination of females of 
determined species of bees, at the time when they come from 
their winter retreat, and more specimens are necessary to know 
whether Sphzerularia is as abundant here as it is in Europe, and 
whether the species is the same.— George Dimmock. 
Nores oN SOME EASTERN Iowa Swaits.—During the past sea- 
son I have taken several interesting species new to the vicinity of 
Davenport, Ia. Among them the Gundlachia meekiana Stimp., 
a shell not before reported from the West. The specimens are 
decidedly larger than Stimpson’s types, and extremely variable— 
some of them agreeing exactly with the description and figures of 
the G. stimsoniana Smith and Prime, and plainly indicating the 
specific identity of the two forms. As Stimpson writes, the 
septum in the aperture of Gundlachia seems to be formed at the 
end of the first season’s growth; but numbers of these limpets 
formed no plate, simply adding the second season’s growth on 
the margin of former peristome, thus making a real Ancylus with 
black conical cap. Lily pads seem to be their favorite station. 
Each limpet eating an irregular area on the under side, but never 
perforating the leaf. 
_ Numerous specimens of the Fyrgula scalariformis Wolf, unno- 
ticed since the publication of the original description nearly 
twenty years ago, were found near the mouth of Rock river, a few 
miles below Davenport. The validity of this species has recently 
been questioned by Mr. R. E. Call, who refers it to Pomatiopsts 
lapidaria Say! The specimens taken leave no doubt concerning 
the position of these tiny snails in the genus Pyrgula—unless the 
anatomy show greater divergence from that type than the shell. 
Our Rock river specimens are smaller, stouter than typical fossil 
scalariformis, and more compactly coiled—never exhibiting the 
peripheral carina on upper whorls. The shorter forms remind one 
of the common rhomboidal variety of Amculosa dissimilis Say. 
ese have been distributed by the writer to correspondents 
under the varietal name of P. scalariformis mississippiensis. 
Observations on Mississippi river Lioplax tend to confirm 
the opinion of the late Jas. Lewis, that the eastern and western 
ioplaces are especially distinct. The foot in our specimens only 
slightly exceeds the shell in length, while Binney’s figures (of the 
eastern form) represent it nearly double the length of shell. 
My measurements were taken while the animal was in rapid 
pe greatest length being then attained. — Harry A. 
