No. 48. — 1897.] CEYLON MALACOLOGY. 



17 



enemies, for it renders the shells scarcely distinguishable, 

 at first sight, from knotty excrescences on the trunks of the 

 trees upon which they live. 



The animal is of a light chocolate colour, with large and 

 prominent tentacula. The upper surface of the foot is 

 coarsely tuberculated. It is oviparous in April-September. 

 The eggs, which have yellowish-white, oblong, calcareous 

 shells, are usually 22 mm. long and 13'60 mm. in breadth. 

 Young specimens are particularly handsome, their shells 

 being variegated with white markings, which however 

 become obliterated as the shells increase in size. 



Habitat, on the trunks of trees in damp shady localities. 

 Seldom seen above 3,500 ft. 



FAM. AC I f ATININiE. 

 20. — Glessula inornata, Pfr. 



This species is abundant in the district. The animal is 

 yellowish-white, and emits a peculiar acrid smell when 

 molested — probably protective. It is oviparous in April- 

 August. I have taken specimens in those months con- 

 taining eight to ten young shells with the first three whorls 

 already formed. They lie close together, in a chain, within 

 the second largest whorl of the parent shell, through which 

 they are dimly visible. 



Habitat in forest, beneath decaying leaves. A filmy 

 epiphragm closes the aperture of the shell in the dry season. 



21. — G. niteus, Gray . 

 One or two specimens, taken in the lower part of the 

 district, have been identified by Dr. Jousseaume as an 

 opaque variety of this species. 



22. — 6r. parabilis, Benson. 

 I have only one specimen, found in the lower part of the 

 district (2,000 ft.). 



23. — Opeas gracilis, Hutt. 

 Very common under logs and stones throughout the 

 district. It appears to be widely distributed. 



10— 97 O 



