12 



JOURNAL, R.A.3. (CEYLON). [VOL. XV. 



CONTRIBUTIONS TO CEYLON MALACOLOGY.* 



(1) The Terrestrial Mollusca of Ambagamuwa. 



By 0. Collett, F.R.M.S., Cor. Member of the Malacological 

 Society of London, &c. 



The following observations are offered on a collection of 

 Mollusca made during the last two years in the district of 

 Ambagamuwa (Central Province). 



This district is situated in the heart of the wet region of 

 the Island. It ranges from 2,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. in altitude, 

 and has an average annual rainfall of 190 in. 



The extent of my researches has been limited, owing to 

 the nature of my professional duties. 



This Paper, therefore, is only to be looked upon as a 

 preliminary account of the inquiry. I hope in time to bring 

 out a complete list of the land-shells that are to be found 

 in this district, giving, in as many instances as possible, 

 particulars of the habits, instincts, times of breeding, &c, of 

 the different species. In the difficult task of identifying 

 the species here enumerated, I have received much 

 kind assistance from Dr. F. Jousseaume, the celebrated 

 Zoologist of Paris, to whom I take this opportunity of 

 expressing my grateful thanks. I have also derived much 

 useful information from the Paper which Dr. F. Jousseaume 

 has written on Ceylon shells,t and which is quite in- 

 dispensable to collectors. 



Fam. Helicid^e. 

 1. — Helix (Fruticicola) similaris, Fer. 



This species is abundant in the district, and appears to be 

 widely distributed. It occurs in thick scrub and lantana, 



* To illustrate the Paper two cases of land shells were exhibited, con- 

 taining- the shells described by Mr, Collett, and presented by him to the 

 Colombo Museum. 



t Mollusques recueillis a Ceylon par M. E. Simon, et revision generate 

 des especes terrestres et flurio-lacustres de cette He. (Memoires de la 

 Societe Zoologique de France, 1894, pp. 264-330.) 



