Description of New Species of Land Shells.

BY W. NEWCOMB, M.D.

Helix Blakeana, Newc.

Hel. testa unicolor flavido-alba, rotundato, semi-globosa, nitida, translucida; umbilico amplo, profundo et parum obtecto; apice obtuso; anfractibus sex, convexis, tribus superioribus sub-planis, reliquiis rapide accrescentibus, ultimo inflato; sutura bene impressa; aperturâ rotundato-lunare; peristomate tenue, ex panso-reflexo cum columellâ sub-late dilatatâ, non adnatâ.

Alt. ·7 pol., Diam maj. 1·1 pol., min. 1· pol.

Hab. Insula Niphon—Japan, (teste Blake).

Shell uniformly yellowish white, rounded, half globular, shining, translucent; umbilicus large, deep and slightly covered; apex obtuse; whorls six, convex, the three first nearly on the same plane, the balance rapidly increasing, the last swollen; suture well marked; aperture roundly lunar; lip thin, flatly reflected, at the columella broadly dilated but not adherent.

Note.—In general form and color, this species makes a nearer approach to H. candida, Moricand, than to any species with which I am acquainted. It varies in the less elevation, in the form of the spire, and in some other respects. Professor Blake had remarkable facilities for collecting in Japan, but unfortunately the mice proved so destructive to his terrestrial shells, as to leave him but few specimens as the result of his labor.

Helix declivis, Newc.

Hel. testa perspectivo-umbilicata, lenticulare, oblique striata, tenue, pallide-cornea; anfr. IV, planulatis, ultimo declivi, in medio sub-carinato; sutura sub-canuliculata; peris. fragile, simplici: apertura obliquo-sub-rotundata.

Alt. ·1 pol., Diam. maj. ·3 pol., min. ·2 pol.

Hab. Insula Niphon, (Japan).

Shell perspectively umbilicate, lenticular, obliquely striate, thin, pale horn color; whorls four, planulate, the last shelving down to the centre, which is obscurely keeled; suture channelled; lip fragile, simple; aperture oblique, almost round.

Remarks.—Bears some resemblance to H. ruderata, Stud., a species common in Europe, from which it may readily be distinguished by comparison.

Note.—The Japanese species herein described, were collected by Professor Blake, in the interior of the Island of Niphon, out of the range permitted to foreign travel.

The Professor, who was employed by the Japanese Government as a special geologist, had the privilege of penetrating districts not before visited by any scientific or mercantile foreigner. The following species of Helices were also among those collected:

Some doubt may exist as to the H. quesita being identical with H. Perryi. But one specimen was preserved, and this fully agrees with the description and figure of the first named, but the locality for the species is given as the “Moluccas.”

It also agrees (except in colour) with Dr. Jay’s description, and also in the very poor figures illustrating the species of H. Perryi. The only question in my mind is one regarding locality.

Helix Cronkhitei, Newc.

Hel. testa aperta umbilicata, depressa, luteo-cornea sub-lente regulariter costulato-striata; spira depressa-convexa; sutura excavata; anfractibus quatuor, sub-cylindraceis; umbilica ampla, sub-perspectiva; apertura rotundata; peristomate simplici, acuto, marginibus conniventibus.

Alt. ·15 pol., Diam. maj. ·2 pol., min. ·15 pol.

Hab. Klamath Valley, Oregon, (Gabb).

Shell openly umbilicate, depressed, yellowish horn colour, under the glass regularly rib striated; spire depressed, a little convex; suture wide and deep; whorls four, rather cylindrical; umbilicus large, indistinctly perspective; aperture rounded; lip simple, acute, margins approximating.

Remarks.—Mr. Bland may possibly refer to this species as H. striatella, Anthony, which was obtained by Dr. Cooper on the Pacific side of the Rocky Mountains. (See addenda to “Remarks on Classification, etc.,” 1863). This species is certainly distinct from striatella, by its smaller size, rib-like costa, and almost channelled suture.

A few specimens were obtained by Mr. Gabb, of the State Geological Survey, in Klamath Valley, which were collected jointly by himself and Dr. Cronkhite, U. S. Army.

Helix Rowelli, Newc.

Hel. testa aperta-umbilicata, orbiculato depressa, alba, opaca, polita, minutissimo-oblique striata; anfractibus quatuor vel quinque convexis, ultimo magno antice deflexo; spira vix elevata, apice sub-mamillato; sutura modice impressa; apertura fere circulari; labro tenui, reflexiusculo, marginibus continuis ad juncturam; anfr. ultimo adnato.

Alt. ·4 pol., Diam. maj. ·6 pol., min. ·5 pol.

Hab. Arizona, (dicto Frick).

Shell with open umbilicus, orbicular, depressed, opaque white, polished, very finely obliquely striate; whorls four and a half, convex, the last large, anteriorly descending; spire but little elevated, at the apex projecting like a nipple; suture moderately marked; aperture truly circular; lip thin, slightly reflected, margins continued, adhering to the last whirl.

Remarks.—This is another of the Cyclostomoid species of which H. Carpenteri, Newc., H. Cærulano, Muhl., and H. Angasiana, Pfr. form striking examples. Our species approaches nearer in lightness of substance and in its depressed form to Muhlfeldt’s shell, than to either the others.

I take pleasure in dedicating this species to the Rev. M. Rowell, of San Francisco.

Succinea Japonica, Newc.

S. testa ovato-conica, flavido-cornea, lævissima, striatula, nitida, pellucida; anfractibus III, nucleo sane mamillato, ultimo 4·5 longitudinis fere æquante; apertura elongato-ovali; peristomate simplici; columellâ regulariter arcuata ad juncturam labro superiorem acuto-angulata.

Long. ·55, Diam. ·35, Apert. long. ·4, lata. ·233 pol.

Hab. Japan, (Prof. Blake).

Shell ovately-conic, yellowish horn color, very smooth, finely striate, shining, pellucid; whirls three, nucleus truly mamillate, the last four-fifths of the entire length; aperture elongately ovate; lip simple; columella regularly arched; at the juncture of the lip above, acutely angular.

Remarks on Helix Hillebrandi, Newc.

At the time of publication of this species, but a single recent specimen had been obtained, and that was freed from the epidermis. The statement that the shell was hirsute, was founded upon the cicatrices observed upon the surface, Mr. Gabb, who has recently returned from a trip to Mariposa, was successful in finding a few specimens, by which the diagnosis may be enlarged, and conjecture resolved into certainty. The whole surface is covered with an epidermis, of a yellowish brown colour, thickly studded with slightly curved rigid hairs about one-twentieth of an inch in length. The animal is of a reddish brown color, with the tentacles of a smoky hue; tentacular sheaths darker than the body, which is small, slender, finely granulated and unusually long and tapering behind.

The shell bears the same relations to H. Dupetit Thouarsi, Deshayes, that Helix infumata, Gould, bear to H. fidelis, Gray. In the description of infumata, an important omission occurs, owing doubtless to the imperfect condition of the type specimen. In good specimens, all of the last whirl, except a circle round the umbilicus, is covered with very short and thickly studded soft hairs, feeling harsh when dry, but velvety to the touch when moistened.

Achatinella Alexandri, Newc.

Ach. testa perforata, sinistrorsa, elongato sub-cylindracea, nitida, rufo-brunnea, nigro-elongato-venulato-inosculante picta; anfr. VI convexis, regulariter accrescentibus; apice obtusiusculo; sutura modice impressa, non emarginata; apertura parva, sub-ovata; labro acuto; columella alba breve, sub-recta, truncata, infra in plicam tortam terminante.

Long. ·6 pol., Diam. ·25 pol., Aper. long. ·2 pol. ·1 lata.

Hab. Insula Sandwich, (Maui).

Shell perforated, left handed, elongately sub-cylindrical, shining, reddish-brown, with painting of elongate, inosculating black veins; whirls six convex, regularly (but slowly) increasing; apex a little obtuse; suture moderately impressed, not emarginate; aperture small, sub-ovate; lip acute; columella white, short, almost straight, truncate, terminating by a twisted plait passing within.

This species is more cylindrical than any of its congeners, resembling most A. Renyi, Newc., which is longer, not umbilicate, more pointed at the apex, with a twisted, not truncate columella.

From venusta and citrina, Mighels, it varies both in form and color. With some varieties of picta it claims analogy only in the general plan of painting. Its striking characteristics are its blunt apex, slightly rounded whorls, small aperture, short and white columella, umbilicus, and general plan of coloring.

A few specimens were collected at an elevation of 7,500 feet, on West Maui, by the Rev. M. Alexander, to whom the species is dedicated.