552 check list of the freshwater shells of australia, 2. Melania Balonnensis. Melanin Balonnensis, Conrad, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences Phil., p. 11, 1850. American Journal Conch, ii., p. 80, pi. 1, fig-. 10, 1866. Brot in Martini and Chemnitz, Conch. Cab. p. 287, pi. 28, fig. 14 a. and 15, 1874. Hob. Lower Murray Eiver, South Australia (Professor Tate). This species is of a much lighter texture than M. Tatei, also lighter coloured, and the ribs not so distinct on the body whorl. Check List of the Fresh-water Shells of Australia. By EALPn Tate, Assoc. Linn. Soc, F.G.S., Corr. Memb. Acad. Sc. Philad., Eoy. Soc. Tasman, &c, Professor of Natural History, University of Adelaide ; and John Brazier, Corr. Memb. Zool. Soc, Roy. Soc. Tasm., &c. In this communication, we have attempted to bring together the scattered published sources of information concerning the fresh-water molluscs of Australia, in the hope that it may serve as a basis for a monograph on the subject. Excepting the labours of Deshayes and Lea, among the lamellibranchs, no comprehensive survey of the fresh-water shelis of this continent has been attempted. It is true that the fresh-water shells of Tasmania have been arranged by Messrs. Woods and Johnston, but, in this case no comparison has been instituted between the insular and continental faunas ; and it may safely be alleged that, in general, the knowledge of our fresh-water shells consists of a number of units, which in no sort of way have been brought into relationship one with another. Thus, each geographical region is made to be exceptionally distinct from neighbouring ones. "Whether this be actually true ?, or whether it be appar-ently so, because of the imperfect state of our knowledge ? Are questions which must be determined, before any generalizations can be made.
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