A C H A T I N A 
Plate I. 
Genus Achatina, Lamarck. 
Testa ovata velfusiformi-oblonga, anfractibus plerumque stri- 
atis vel granatis, columella, involutd, basi peculiariter 
truncata, apertures labro simplici, nunquam incrassato 
aid reflexo. Operculum nullum. 
Shell ovate or fusiformly oblong, whorls mostly striated or 
grained, columella rolled inwards, peculiarly trun- 
cated at the base, lip of the aperture simple, never 
thickened or reflected. No operculum. 
The general aspect of the Achatince is very similar to 
that of Bulimus, but the particulars of the shell in detail 
present a sufficient typical difference throughout. The 
chief peculiarity of structure which characterises this genus 
resides in the columella, it being always involuted towards 
the aperture, and more or less abruptly truncated at the 
base. A negative character is also afforded in the outer 
lip being never thickened or reflected. The Achatince are 
not of the same arboreal habits as the Bulimi , but dwell in 
places where there is more moisture, in swamps or in the 
vicinity of lakes and rivers ; and are more confined to 
particular localities. They comprehend three very distinct 
groups, one consisting of large, richly coloured, ventricose 
species, chiefly inhabiting West Africa, where they may be 
said to take the place of the Bulimi , another comprising 
numerous delicate species, some of a semi-transparent, 
glassy polish, others finely sculptured with granulated or 
raised striae, inhabiting Central America, the West Indies, 
and Southern Europe, and constituting the genus Glandina 
of authors. The prettily painted and porcelain-like species 
A. virginea and vexillum, are also representatives of another 
type, the genus Lignus of De Montford. 
Species 1. (Mus. Cuming.) 
Achatina Pfeifferi. Achat, testa oblongo-turritd, an- 
fractibus octo, convexis, longitudinaliter obscure plicato- 
striatis, apicem versus subtiliter decussatd, ad suturas 
indistincte crenulatis, columella valde arcuatd et con- 
tortd, abrupte truncata,; fulvescente-albd, rufo-fusco, 
preecipue basin versus, flammata. 
Pfeiffer’s Achatina. Shell oblong-turreted, whorls 
eight in number, convex, longitudinally obscurely 
plicately striated, finely decussated towards the apex, 
indistinctly crenulated at the sutures, columella much 
arched and twisted, abruptly truncated ; pale fulvous 
white, flamed especially towards the base -with reddish- 
brown. 
Dunker, Zeitschr. fur Malac. 1845. p. 163. 
Sab. Near Loanda, West Africa (on sandy mountains). 
As in most species of the genus the colouring is darker 
and more thickly displayed towards the base. 
Species 2. (Mus. Cuming.) 
Achatina /Equatoria. Achat, testa acnminato-oblongd, 
anfractibus septem, tumidis, rotundatis, Icevibus, oblique 
tenuistriatis, ad suturas lira pared spirali crenulatd 
cinctis, columella vix truncata, labro simplici ; cinereo- 
ccerulescente, apicem versus albicante, strigis maculisque 
fuscis irregulariter aspersa. 
The equatorial Achatina. Shell acuminately oblong, 
whorls seven in number, swollen, rounded, smooth, 
obliquely finely striated, encircled with a small spiral 
crenulated ridge at the sutures, columella scarcely 
truncated, lip simple ; ash-blue, whitish towards the 
apex, sprinkled irregularly with brown streaks and 
spots. 
Sab. Banks of the river Gaboon, West Africa. 
The marking of this species, from a locality nearly on the 
equator, is very peculiar, not disposed in regular stripes, 
but wavy and scattered ; the whorls are more than usually 
rounded, and the apex has a papillary aspect. 
Species 3. (Mus. Cuming.) 
Achatina variegata. Achat, testa conico-oblongd, basin 
versus ventricosd, anfractibus septem ad octo, plus 
minus subtiliter decussatis, ad suturas crenulatis, lined 
impressa marginatis, columella contortd, oblique trun- 
cata, labro simplici; fulvo-albidd, strigis nigro-cas- 
taneis undatis, liic illic fulguratis, scepissimb picta, colu- 
mella vivide rosed. 
The variegated Achatina. Shell conically oblong, 
ventricose towards the base, whorls seven to eight in 
number, more or less finely decussated, crenulated at 
the sutures, margined with an impressed line, colu- 
mella twisted, obliquely truncated, lip simple ; fulvous- 
white, most frequently painted with dark waved 
chesnut streaks here and there zig-zag, columella 
very deep rose. 
February, 1849. 
