1927] Pilsbry-Bequaert, The Aquatic Mollusks of the Belgian Congo 179 
‘Among the riverine Bakongo tribe along the Uele River one often 
sees one of these shells fastened to a child’s belt, as a protection against 
drowning, so I was assured by the superstitious. The photograph (PI. 
XVI) shows a Bangba native near Niangara, Uele district, wearing a hat 
completely covered with these shells and surmounted with a tuft of 
feathers of the African crowned eagle (Spizaetus coronatus). Thus worn 
during certain ceremonies, the shells are supposed to counteract in- 
fecundity, considered by the natives a particular affliction and believed 
to befall those who, when still in reproductive age, have been careless 
enough to eat these mollusks.” (H. L.) 
Pila congoensis amplior, new subspecies 
Plate XV, Figures 1 and 2 
Nouvelle Anvers (type locality), one specimen; near Bumba, one 
specimen; Medje, 2 specimens (Lang and Chapin Coll.). 
The shell agrees with P. congoensis in the short last whorl, the short adnate 
portion on the inner lip, and the ample umbilicus; by the same characters differing 
from P. leopoldyillensis. It attains a size much greater than P. congoensis. Micro- 
scopic sculpture is nearly effaced, but where visible it appears to be like that of 
congoensis. ‘The surface is usually, but not always malleate in some part of the last 
whorl. The aperture shows various shades from cinnamon to walnut brown within, 
with more or less orange or yellow toward the lip, which may have a border of some 
shade of yellow or sometimes vinaceous-pink. There is more color inside than in the 
P. leopoldvillensis seen. 
Length, 91.0 mm.; diameter, 83.0 mm.; aperture, 67.0*45.0 mm. Nouvelle 
: Anvers; type. 
Pl. XV, Fig. 
Be 
6 OG 8 in 84.0 i 67.0X42.0 Near Bumba. 
“ 91.0 z $1.0 66.0*44.0 Medje. 
+ 720) 66.0 mt 53.0X34.0 Medje. PI. 
XV. Fig. 1. 
Shells of this race are used as saltcellars by the Medje. 
The operculum (Pl. XIX, fig. 10) is buff, mottled irregularly with 
dirty whitish patches and some reddish and olivaceous suffusion, the 
scar isabella colored, finely rugose concentrically and with local whorls. 
In the type specimen there is no distinct smooth area in the scar, but in 
one from Bumba it is distinct, large and raised. The scar is less than 
half the width of the operculum. Length, 62 mm.; width, 41 mm.; 
width of scar, 18 mm. 
