GASTEROPODA. 
121 
work on Volcanic Islands, and figured in “Proceed. Geol. Soc.,” 
March 10, 1S52, p. 199, pi. v. f. 10. Easily distinguished from 
II. polyodon by its wide, toothless aperture. 
*H. biplicata, G. B. Sow. — Described in the appendix to Mr. 
Darwin’s work on Volcanic Islands, p. 155. 
*H. bilamellata, G. B. Sow. — Prom Side-Path road, near The 
Briars. Described in Mr. Darwin’s work, with the last species, and 
figured in “Proceed. Geol. Soc.,” March 10, 1852, p. 199, pi. v. f. 8. 
Bulimus, Bruguiere. 
*B. auris-vulpina, Chemn. — This true native, “The great 
extinct Land Snail of St. Helena,” is now found only in a semi-fossil 
condition on the north-eastern quarter of the Island. The shells occur 
in surface-beds of whitish-coloured earth on the north-western side 
of Flagstaff Hill, at an altitude of 1611 feet above the sea, where 
they have probably died or been carried by surface rain-water many 
centuries ago. They are almost coloui-less, being of a dirty 
brownish -white appeai*ance. Being exceedingly anxious to discover 
if this creature still lived, I explored the locality very carefully, about 
four years ago, and enlisted the sympathies of some of the peasantry 
in my cause. The wife of a labouring man, living in a small 
cottage in the valley at the back of Longwood, assured me that she 
often saw them alive, and that after heavy rains they came out of 
the earth and fed upon the Hottentot Fig plants. Thinking she 
meant the common garden snail ( Helix aspersa), so abundant in the 
same neighbourhood, I examined her on this point ; but so positive 
Was she that she had seen the real, living Bulimus auris-vulpina , and 
that her children had used them as playthings, which statement the 
children confirmed, thatlfelt scarcely able todoubt their existence still 
in a living state. Possibly some few may lurk bidden somewhere ; 
but, considering the changes which have taken place in the physical 
character of that part of the Island, and that the offer of a liberal 
reward to my sanguine acquaintance failed to produce a living 
specimen, I must confess that I am still sceptical upon this 
point. It has been recently stated that this remarkable shell is 
found in a living state in China, but so interesting a discovery 
requires confirmation. It has no living analogue in Africa, but is 
Saul to be “ a member of a group characteristic of Tropical America 
(to which the names Plecochilm , Pachgotis, and Caprella have been 
