118 PROCEEDINGS OP THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
On the eastern shore of Trinidad where the Atlantic surges 
thunder on a sandy shore we have an assemblage of molluska 
with its own peculiarities and quite distinct from that of any 
other locality. Most of the shells found there have however oc- 
curred as stragglers on the shores of the Gulf and so are included 
in my list. I may name as characteristic shells of these Atlantic 
beaches (among others) Trigona mactroides (of the shells of which 
in places almost the entire beach is formed), Cytherea dione , 
Mactra alata and Donax striata and denticulata . Univalves are 
rare ; but the logs of wood washed on shore generally become the 
resort of Litorinas. Natica marocana , whose prey is the Donaces, 
is not uncommon. 
All the species enumerated in the following list have been 
collected by myself in the Gulf of Paria or on the coasts adjoining. 
Though consisting for the most part of names only yet this list 
represents a very large amount of work, not only in collecting 
but in the study and identification of the shells and in assigning 
to them their proper names amid the heap of synonyms and in- 
accurate determinations with which unfortunately the science of 
malacology is burdened. In respect of nomenclature I have been 
very greatly assisted by Krebs’ Catalogue of the West Indian 
Marine Shells; a work published for private circulation only, but 
most valuable for its suggestions as to synonyms. I have how- 
ever allowed myself considerable liberty in the fusion of specific 
names allowed to stand in Krebs’ list ; for the author of that 
vork while condemning the “sickly passion” which possesses 
some naturalists for describing so-called new species, still allowed 
too many doubtful appellations to crowd his pages. And there 
aie many names in his list which I strongly suspect to be re- 
dundant, yet I do not touch them for want of certainty as to 
what species were in view by the authors of the names. 
Although I have been engaged for a lifetime (for that 
portion at least of it not occupied by my official duties) on the 
study of natural history and particularly of Geology and 
