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Proceedings Asiatic Soc. Bengal for 1869 p. 187

Dr. Stoliczka in a conversation arising out of Mr T Blandford's contribution to Indian Malacology No V, "remarked that there are probably few places on the world wh. offer so many remarkable Molluscs for examination as the Sundarbans. He alluded to the great variations wh. some organs appear to undergo by changes affecting the habit of the animal. No one common sp. of the Cerithidæ, most of wh being marine animals possess gills adapted for breathing in water, this respiratory organ seems to have altogether disappeared having been entirely replaced by lungs. This sp. Cerithidia obtusa, occurring generally on muddy banks all thro' the Sundarbans, dies when immersed in water for any length of time. Dr. S. farther observed that he was most anxious to examine regarding this very peculiar change, some other

[132v]

other specimens of the same species also occurring along the Arrucan Coast, in places where pure sea-water has full access. Three sp. of Littorinidae occurring at Port Cunning on muddy banks & on trees & beaches near the rivers, are in this respect equally interesting & so also is the animal of Mr W T Blandfords Cremnoconchus sylvadrensis: but all these possess gills, tho' they gradually become rudimentary & ultimately no doubt will disappear."

Variation from Disuse or changed conditions.

[W. T. Blandford. 1869. Contribution to Indian Macalogy, No. XI. Descriptions of new species of Paludomus, Cremnoconchus, Cyclostoma, and of Helicidæ from various parts of India. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (July): 187-8.]