On the Mollusca of Europe and North America. 375 long as the nasal. The single pra30ciilar reaches to the upper surface of the head, and is in contact with the vertical. Three postoculars. Eight upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Temporals 1 + 2 + 3, but rather irregularly arranged. A groove (of black colour) between the temporals and labials. Ventrals 187 ; subcaudals 135. Brownish, some of the dorsal scales with a blackish edge ; tail with a black line on each side, along the outer margin of the subcaudals ; sometimes another pair of less distinct blackish lines along the back of the tail. Brownish yellow below, with or without irregular powdered spots. Total length 33 inches, of which the tail takes 13 inches. Southern parts of Madagascar. XLIV. — Reply to Professor VerrilVs " Remarhs on certain Errors in Mr. Jeffreys^ s Article on the Mollusca of Europe comjjared ivith those of Eastern North America.^' By J. GwYN Jeffreys, F.R.S. I HAVE been hitherto prevented by various engagements from noticing Prof. Verrill's remarks on the above article, which was published in the ' Annals ' of last October. Although I would rather invite than deprecate a fair criti-cism of this or any other publication of mine, I cannot help regretting that the present critic has not adopted the same style of courtesy which so agreeably characterizes his scientific countrymen. I do not admit the wholesale charge of " errors " and " mis-takes " which is so freely made in his " Remarks," nor that it was incumbent on him personally to disclaim my views. Let them be examined by some competent authority. The errors attributed to me are those which relate to geo-graphical and local distribution, to the difference of certain species, and to the nomcnclatui'e of two other species. The question of geographical distribution, involving that of migration, is a subject which cannot be hastily disposed of; but Prof. Vcn-ill's idea that the land and freshwater shells which are common to the Old and New Continents may have originated in America and thence crossed to Europe " in the direction of the ])re vailing currents and winds " is more ingenious than probable. Currents and winds are not the kind of agency we should expect for the migration of such animals. However, I will not offend his national susceptibilities any further. With regard to local distribution I can only repeat that I
XLIV.—Reply to Professor Verrill's "Remarks on certain Errors in Mr. Jeffreys's article on the Mollusca of Europe compared with those of Eastern North America
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