Land and Freshwater Shells Peculiar to the British Isles

Abstract

THERE cannot be any reasonable doubt that the inland Mollusca of Britain present some peculiar features, but it is surprising, considering the amount of attention that has been devoted to them, how little exact knowledge we have of this subject. This want of knowledge is doubtless due to two principal causes—first, that so many conchologists consider varieties, and especially slight varieties, to be of little or no importance; and secondly, because those who study our native shells are, as a rule, but ill acquainted with foreign species and varieties. The publication of a list of supposed peculiar forms in the new edition of Dr. Wallace's “Island Life,” will, it is hoped, direct attention to this matter. Although this list is more or less provisional, and will doubtless require much alteration as time goes on, I anticipate that the number of forms actually peculiar to our islands, when fully ascertained, will considerably exceed eighty-three, the number at present listed. On the other hand, no doubt, several at present in the list will have to be eventually struck out.