NO. 48.— 1897.] CEYLON MALACOLOGY. 13 



and also upon stone walls, especially where the masonry is 

 new. The shells are very variable in colour and markings, 

 some being pure white, while others are dark reddish-brown. 

 In some instances they are unicolorous ; but as a rule they 

 are banded with a single line, which is much darker than 

 the general colouring of the shell. The animal, which is 

 gray and white, gives a speckled appearance to the semi- 

 transparent shell. It is oviparous in April-September. 

 The eggs are of about the size of grains of sago, globular in 

 shape, bluish-white, and calcareous. 



2. — Helix acuducta, Benson. 

 I have found a few specimens of this distinctly Indian 

 form in Ambagamuwa. It has not previously been recorded 

 from Ceylon. It occurs in low thickets and dense scrub in 

 damp localities. Young specimens are not rare, but full- 

 grown shells are seldom seen — probably the animals are 

 much preyed upon by birds. Hitherto regarded as a 

 Nilgherries species ( Conchologia Indica, pi. 1., f. 5). 



3. — Hemiplecta hyphasma, Pfr, 

 This pretty little species is abundant among ferns and 

 grass, and on mossy banks, throughout the district. It has 

 a semi-transparent shell, through which the black and white 

 markings of the animal are visible. 



4. — H. cingalensis, Bens. 

 I have taken a few specimens of this species from beneath 

 the bark of a decaying tree in a clearing — kindly identified 

 by Dr. Jousseaume. I have never found a mature shell. It 

 appears to be rare in this district. 



5. — H. chenui, Pfr. 

 This species is fairly common throughout the district. It 

 closely resembles the South India form H. chenui ( Con- 

 chologia Indica, pi. xxv.,f .l),with which it is in all probability 

 identical. The animal is dirty white, marked with longi- 

 tudinal gray bands ; it is very slimy, and makes a peculiar 

 squeaking noise, like a beetle, when molested. It is oviparous 



