5 6-1-

: 7 ' '

BULLETIN OF

THE BRITISH MUSEUM

(NATURAL HISTORY)

HISTORICAL SERIES
VOL. I

1953-1959

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF

TILE BRITISH MUSEUM

LONDON! 1959

DATES OF PUBLICATION OF THE PARTS

No.

i.

30 May 1953

No.

2.

22 January 1954

No.

3-

9 February 1955

No.

4-

21 March 1957

No.

5-

1 July 1958

No.

6.

1 April 1959

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CONTENTS

HISTORICAL SERIES VOLUME I

PAGE

No. i. A Catalogue and Historical Account of the Sloane Shell Collection.

By Guy L. Wilkins 3

No. 2. Louis Auguste Deschamps. By C. G. G. J. van Steenis, M. J. van

Steenis-Kruseman and C. A. Backer. 51

No. 3. A Catalogue and Historical Account of the Banks Shell Collection.

By Guy L. Wilkins 71

No. 4. The Cracherode Shell Collection. By Guy L. Wilkins 123

No. 5. The Gronovius Fish Collection : A Catalogue and Historical Account.

By Alwyne C. Wheeler 187

No. 6. Some Eighteenth Century Bird Paintings in the Library of Sir Joseph

Banks (1743-1820). By Averil Lysaght 253

Index to Volume 1 373

6 JUN 1953

CATALOGUE AND
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF
THE SLOANE SHELL
COLLECTION

GUY L. WILKINS

44U&

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. i, No. i

LONDON: 1953

A CATALOGUE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

BY

GUY L. WILKINS

Pp. 1-48 ; Pis. 1-12

BULLETIN OF

THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. 1, No. 1.

LONDON: 1953

THE BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY), instituted in 1949, is
issued in five series, corresponding to the Departments
of the Museum, and an Historical Series.

Parts appear at irregular intervals as they become
ready. Volumes will contain about three or four
hundred pages, and will not necessarily be completed
within one calendar year.

This paper is Vol. 1, No. 1 of the Historical Series.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Issued May 1953 Price Sixteen Shillings

A CATALOGUE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

By GUY L. WILKINS

CONTENTS

Pages
i. Historical Account of the Sloane Shell Collection . . 3-12

2. Catalogue of the Sloane Shell Collection : — .

Sect. I. Specimens figured by Martin Lister from 1685 to

1692 ........ 13-22

„ II. Shells figured and described by James Petiver from

1698 to 1712 ....... 22-26

„ III. Specimens collected by Dr. Sloane in Jamaica,

1687 to 1689 ....... 26-34

„ IV. Series of specimens collected by various donors to

the collection from 1690 to 1726 . . . 34-39

„ V. Sloane specimens figured and described from 1778

to 1849 39-44

3. Summary .......... 44

4. References .......... 45-47

5. Acknowledgments ........ 47

SYNOPSIS

The surviving Sloane shells, recorded and described in detail in this paper, formed part of
the nucleus of the shell collection in the British Museum at its inception in 1753. Many speci-
mens date from the mid-Seventeenth Century and have personal associations with William
Courten, Martin Lister, James Petiver, William Dampier, and numerous other contemporary
author-naturalists and travellers.

An attempt has been made to trace the history of the Sloane shell collection from the time
of Courten and Lister to the present day — a period of nearly two hundred and seventy years.
Many Sloane specimens were figured by Lister from 1685 to 1692, and a selection of these,
together with the actual specimens and original Lister drawings, are reproduced in the ac-
companying plates.

1. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

It was assumed for many years that the recent shells forming part of the great
collections of Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) were no longer recognizable, if indeed,
they existed at all, and it is therefore satisfactory to be able to record that over
four hundred of his original specimens were discovered during 1950-51 among the
older portions of the shell collections in the Department of Zoology. These speci-
mens formed part of the collection acquired by the Nation after the death of Sir
Hans Sloane in 1753, and thus became the nucleus of the present collection of
mollusca.

HIST. I, I. 1

4 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

The life of this great collector has been dealt with in several publications, and
therefore only biographical and historical notes having a direct bearing on his
collection of shells are mentioned here. Sloane compiled a number of manuscript
catalogues recording his acquisitions, three volumes being devoted to the " Testacea "
or shells, and the specimens now segregated bear his manuscript numbers corre-
sponding to those in the surprisingly comprehensive catalogues. The numbers,
written in ink either on small labels attached to the shells, or on the shells them-
selves, are in some instances quite clear, but in others faint and difficult to
decipher correctly. Some of the numbered specimens have been recovered from
those formerly on exhibition; the remainder were found among the study material.
In the years 1799 and 1837, when particularly fine shells became available for
exhibition, it is probable that many dull-looking Sloane specimens were replaced
in the exhibition cases with fresh ones. Heavy cleaning in the past has un-
doubtedly been responsible for the loss of catalogue numbers, and for this reason
alone it is certain that a number of Sloane shells still exist unrecognized in the
general collection.

The calligraphy of the numbers on the shells corresponds exactly with that in
the catalogues, and it is clear that the specimens were numbered as the entries were
made, and by the same hand, satisfactorily proved to be that of Sloane himself.
His writing was always poor, but towards the end of the third volume it gets
steadily worse, sometimes roving across the page at an awkward angle and becoming
even less readable. By this time (c. 1747) Sloane was 86 years of age and evidently
needed assistance, for the last few pages of entries are made by different hands,
one being that of James Empson, his curator, and subsequently first Keeper of the
Natural History Department of the British Museum (d. 1765).

The date of the commencement of the " Testacea " catalogues is not certain,
but may have been as early as 1702. At the end of the third volume a list is given
of the fossil shells only, selected and summarized from the first two volumes, and
made up to mid-October, 1728, amounting in all to 1,757 specimens. The list and
summary are arranged methodically, preceded by the catalogue numbers, the
highest being No. 4911, the last entry to be made in Volume II. Thus by October,
1728, the collection contained 3,154 recent shells.

Volume III commences with No. 4912 and ends with No. 5846, shortly after
September, 1747, six years before Sloane's death. This date is definitely fixed by
entry No. 5843, which records the gift of a fossil Anotnia from Emanuel Mendes
da Costa (1717-1791) on 17th September, 1747. Judging from the catalogue numbers
alone, it would appear that only 934 specimens were added to the collection from
1728 to 1747, but this is not so, for additional specimens of the same species were
added by Sloane to the original entries, each additional item being separated by an
oblique line; for example entry No. 1482 (PI. 2, fig. 2) includes no less than nine
specimens under the one number, each acquired and entered at different times.

When the catalogues were begun, wide spaces were left between the entries to
accommodate future additions, and even the opposite (blank) page was frequently
used (PI. 2, fig. 3).

From the foregoing it will readily be seen that the collection of recent and fossil

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 5

shells was considerably larger than the 5,843 specimens first mentioned by George
Edwards in 1758, and repeated by most authors since that date. Most of Sloane's
important collections of shells were acquired by 1728, and although a number of
them were sorted and catalogued in readiness for work on the second volume of his
Natural History of Jamaica, published in 1725, it is unlikely that all would be cata-
logued by 1728. Sloane's own figure of 3,753 recent and fossil shells, recorded in
the above work, leaves a balance 1,158 specimens acquired during the next three
years, to bring the total to the 1728 figure of 4,911. This increase was perhaps due
to the return of Mark Catesby to this country in 1726 from his visit to Carolina
and the Bahama Islands.

Except for the earlier entries of specimens (that is to say the first to be entered
under each number), the localities and names of the donors, with full references
to the literature, were recorded with admirable regularity. Fortunately Sloane
worked with Martin Lister's Historia Conchyliorum before him, and constantly
identified his specimens with the figures therein, usually giving the plate and figure
numbers. These references to Lister provide a useful check when numbers on the
shells are too faint to be fully deciphered, for so long as two figures of a series of
three or four are visible, the correct number can be reached from the entry giving
the relevant Lister plate and figure number.

When checking the specimens it was found that not only were they comparable
with Lister's figures, but in many instances they were the actual specimens from
which the plates were engraved by the author's two daughters, Susanna and Anna
Lister, between the years 1685 and 1692. The first part of Lister's Historia was
dedicated to that " illustrious and excellent man William Courten, of the Middle
Temple, London," as a mark of appreciation for the help received by the loan of
specimens for illustration, a sentiment that is enlarged upon in the minutely engraved
Latin preface, forming pis. 4 and 5, wherein Lister praises Courten " both on
account of the extreme industry with which he collects these specimens at great
cost, stores them neatly and preserves them carefully, and on account of his remark-
able kindness in giving easy access to myself and other research workers in natural
history, and in affording them the opportunity of drawing and describing these
and other objects of the same kind from his abundant resources."

In the 1770 Oxford reprint of the Historia William Huddesford published some
of Lister's manuscript notes, from which it is evident that he figured many speci-
mens not to be seen elsewhere from this great collection. Courten is referred to in
these notes as " Mr. C." or " Mr. Charlton," an assumed name by which he was
known for many years. William Courten died in 1702, and his collection, said by
John Evelyn to be worth £8,000 {Diary, 16th December, 1686), was bequeathed to
Sloane, and this satisfactorily accounts for the presence of the greater number of
Lister's figured specimens now recovered. These Courten shells must be the earliest
specimens yet recognized in the Museum collections, for Courten, although a con-
temporary of Sloane, was eighteen years his senior, and would therefore have begun
to collect in the early 1660 's. A small manuscript catalogue of his " Curiosities "
in the British Museum (Sloane MSS. 3988) records several purchases from the widow
of John Tradescant in 1667, before that collection, known as " Tradescant's Ark,"

6 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

was finally handed over to Elias Ashmole, founder of the Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford.

Courten lived much abroad, and had family interests in Barbados through his
paternal grandfather, Sir William Courten (157 2-1 636), who discovered the island
and colonized it about 1625 J this may account for the not infrequent appearance
of that locality on Lister's plates.

During the course of the present work the author's attention was drawn to a
copy of the Huddesford edition of the Historia Conchyliorum in the Radcliffe Science
Library by Mr. J. M. Edmonds, of the Department of Geology, University Museum,
Oxford. This copy (once the property of a Dr. Combe) contains a number of water-
colour drawings which have been inserted by a previous owner, accompanied by
proof impressions of the engraved plates, pasted in beside the corresponding figure
in the book, or on the opposite blank page, together with the appropriate coloured
sketch. Careful examination revealed that these drawings were the originals from
which some of the plates were engraved, a fact eventually established by finding a
drawing of Patella testudinaria L. bearing the initials "A. L." (i.e., Anna Lister)
in the lower right-hand corner (Lister Tab. 531).

Several of the drawings were found to be accompanied by manuscript notes in
Lister's writing, with a note recording the collector by whom the specimens were
lent for illustration. These notes confirm again that many specimens were borrowed,
and may be of service in tracing additional and unsuspected Sloane material. The
importance of this unique copy of the Historia cannot be overestimated, as it proves
beyond doubt the origin of several of Lister's figures, and confirms in some measure
the statement made by E. M. da Costa (p. 34) that " Dr. Lister, to complete his
intended work, carried home all the shells singly to his daughters, to engrave on
single or detached copper plates."

It was at first thought that all the engravings were based on these and similar
wash-drawings, but on closer examination it was noticed that in every instance
they corresponded only with those which have already been shown elsewhere
(Wilkins, 1952) to be the work of Susanna Lister, in that a certain amount of cross-
hatching was used in the cast shadows of the finished engravings, whereas her fellow
artist Anna used only direct graduated lines. This difference in technique seemed
to indicate that Anna Lister might have engraved direct on to copper from the
actual object, without preparatory drawings; but in following up a statement
made by the late Dr. R. T. Gunther (1925, p. 320), to the effect that Martin Lister
presented the original drawings used in the Historia to the Ashmolean Museum, it
was found that preparatory drawings were made for both styles of engraving, and
they are still extant in the Bodleian Library, forming the bulky volume catalogued
as Lister MS.g. 1

This volume appeared, on first sight, to be disappointing. Although a number of
the expected wash-drawings were present, the majority appeared to be merely
unnumbered proofs of the plates in Anna Lister's style; but closer inspection

1 Dr. Gunther gives 1685 as the date of presentation of Lister's shells and drawings, obviously a
misprint for 1683, the date under which the Lister entry appears in the original Ashmolean Book of
Benefactors and also in other parts of Dr. Gunther's work.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 7

revealed these to be original drawings in india ink, carried out in the finest brush-
work, to be repeated line-for-line in the finished engravings. From a study of these
two styles of drawing, it might naturally have been concluded that Susanna Lister
engraved from her less laborious, but quite competent wash-drawings, and Anna
from her highly finished black and white ones; the single wash-drawing, however,
signed "A. L." recorded above, indicates that the latter prepared at least some of
the wash-drawings used by her sister. In no instance have any wash-drawings
been found that were finally engraved in the unmistakable manner of Anna Lister.

The work of these two seventeenth-century artists has been discussed at some
length because of their close association with the considerable number of Sloane
specimens used by their father, which may eventually prove to be the only original
specimens figured by Lister still in existence; for although Maton and Rackett
(1803, p. 140) were able to state that Lister's collection was not deficient, either in
number or perfection of specimens — a fact that was evident " from what remains
of it in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford," a recent preliminary search there has
failed to reveal any shells recognizable as figured by Lister.

In the light of recent experience at South Kensington, the apparent loss of ancient
material at Oxford does not signify that some of it may not yet be found, for the
situation may be similar to that of the " cleaning-up " process considered to be the
cause of the supposed loss of many Sloane specimens. It is not yet known whether
Lister catalogued or numbered his specimens, and in view of the considerable number
of shells known to have been borrowed from Courten, Sloane, Lhwyd and other
collectors, and those copied from Buonanni and other authors, Lister's collection
may not have been as large as might have been expected of the author of the Historia
Conchyliorum. The composite character of the material used is well indicated by
Lister himself in the first paragraph of his preface (Historia, Tab. 4.), in which he
says, " I have thought it worth while to give a brief account of those in our possession
(of which there are quite a number) and in the possession of others in the Museums
in this city, and to commit this accurately to writing and copper-plate engraving."

Dr. Gunther's statement regarding the presentation date of the drawings used
in the Historia appears to need amplification, as it rather gives the impression that
the drawings and plates made from them were finished much earlier than appears
feasible, for Lister could hardly have been in a position to release all this material
two years before the publication of even the first of the four books. His gifts of
books and specimens to the Ashmolean Museum were continuous over a long period,
and it is therefore likely that these drawings were given at a much later date to
supplement the collection of shells, coins and general antiquities which were certainly
presented at the opening of the Ashmolean Museum in 1683, but there is no specific
mention of the drawings in the Book of Benefactors entry made in that year.

The originals of twenty-three of the forty engravings of Sloane specimens have
been traced in these two collections of Lister drawings, and it is remarkable, in view
of the passing of more than two hundred and sixty years since the commencement
of the Historia, that it is possible to compare some of the original specimens with
the preliminary sketches, finished drawings, and final engravings.

Some of the figured specimens in the Historia were collected by Sloane himself,

8 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

a fact that is recorded in the Huddesford notes to pi. 65, in which Lister says that
the specimen figured was " sent from Jamaica by Dr. Sloane " ; this and other land
shells were collected and despatched in response to a request made by Lister on the
flyleaf of a copy of the first part of his work, 1 presented to the young doctor before
his departure for Jamaica (PI. 1, fig. 1). Further evidence of his compliance with
this request appears on plates 55 and 62 of the Historia, where the name Sloane is
engraved under the respective figures. These plates were added after the first
publication date of 1685, for Sloane did not sail for Jamaica until September, 1687.
He certainly found some " naked snails," one of which was figured on pi. 233 of the
Natural History of Jamaica, being there described as Limax nudus, cinereus ter-
restris. 2

An early collection of some importance acquired by Sir Hans Sloane was that of
Doctor Englebert Kaempfer (1651-1716), who visited Japan in his capacity of
Physician to the Dutch East India Company between the years 1690 and 1692,
and it was during this visit that Kaempfer gathered the information for his exhaustive
History of Japan, published posthumously, in two handsome volumes, in 1727 at
Sloane's expense. A number of shells, some marked " Japan " and catalogued by
Sloane as being " among Dr. Kaempfer's shells," are still extant and in good con-
dition.

A close friend and contemporary of Sir Hans Sloane was the enthusiastic collector
and Apothecary to the Charterhouse, James Petiver (1658-1718), who was said by
John Ray to have " the largest correspondence with the East and West Indies of
any man in Europe," a reputation which seems to be borne out by the varied
localities from whence his specimens were obtained. When Petiver died, Sloane
purchased his collection for the sum of £4,000, and eventually incorporated it with
his own; the frequently appearing letter " P " after entries in the catalogues and
on the specimens themselves indicates the large number of shells contained in the
collection at that time. Petiver figured and described many of these in his own
publications, which were considerable, commencing with the Museum Petiverianum
in 1695. Ten parts, or " centuries," were finished by 1703, after which he started
his magnum opus, the Gazophylacium Naturae et Artis, published in ten parts, each
with ten plates, completed in 1709.

This work, to all intents and purposes, formed a series of illustrated catalogues
of his collections of mammals, birds, insects, plants and shells, gathered from all
parts of the known world by his many correspondents, to whom acknowledgments
were frequently made at the foot of the engraved plates.

Several contributions were made by Petiver to the Philosophical Transactions
between 1698 and 1717, relating to his acquisitions of shells, and these, together with
references to the Gazophylacium, were duly noted by Sloane when cataloguing the
actual specimens; thus the phrase " designed by Mr. Petiver for his Gaz. Nat."

1 This copy, still extant in the British Museum, is catalogued under the earlier title of De Cochleis,
which was designed by the author for exotic land shells only, until he changed his mind to make it a
general work, after completion of the first book. The erasure of the word Exotica can be seen in several
of the plates (see da Costa 1776, p. 34).

2 For a discussion and synonomy of this slug see Cockerell & Collinge, The Conchologist, vol. ii, p. 217,
1893.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 9

occurs from time to time throughout the catalogues. A number of these figured
specimens marked by Sloane and Petiver have been recovered, and will be more
fully noted in the relevant part of this paper.

References were also made by Sloane to the Monthly Miscellany or Memoirs for
the Curious, a collection of articles on various subjects by " Divers Curious Persons "
and conducted by Petiver himself. Three volumes appeared between 1707 and
1709 and included several items on shells from the pen of the compiler, the most
important being one on some bivalve shells brought from the coasts of India. These
volumes are now extremely rare ; the only two copies so far traced are in the library
of the British Museum (Bloomsbury).

No account of the collections of these two contemporaries, Sloane and Petiver,
can in any way be complete without mention of at least a few of the many collectors
in the field, who contributed so much to them. Apart from Sloane's early visit to
Jamaica, neither he nor Petiver travelled far afield in search of material for their
collections, but relied almost exclusively on the services of the more venturesome
of their friends and professional colleagues who could be persuaded to send whatever
curiosities they found during their travels abroad. Several of these contributors
were surgeons or officers in the service of the East India Company during its early
and troubled days in India and China, so that a great number of shells were received
from such places as Fort St. George (Madras), Surat and Chusan, where British
factories had been, or were in process of being, established.

James Cunningham, ill-fated surgeon to the East India Company, sent consign-
ments to both Sloane and Petiver from Emuy in 1698, the Island of Chusan in 1700,
and from Pulo Condore in 1702-3, several being reported upon almost immediately
by Petiver in the Philosophical Transactions for 1698 and 170 1. These years were
particularly fruitful for the Sloane and Petiver collections, for other consignments
of plants and shells were sent by Samuel Brown, a surgeon at Madras; Father
Kamel (or Camelli), the Jesuit priest residing at Manila in the Philippine Islands,
and a frequent correspondent of John Ray; Sylvanus Landon and Rowleston
Jacobs from the Moluccas; the Rev. Hugh Jones from Maryland, and Dr. Hermann
from the Cape of Good Hope.

A large series of shells was received about this time from the Straits of Magellan
collected by Mr. Handisyd, one or two of which still survive with the number and
locality written on the shell. At a somewhat later date (1705) a collection of shells
was received by Petiver from Madame Williams in Carolina, and described by him
in the Philosophical Transactions in the same year. A few of these still exist
marked with the letters " CAR."

An interesting and even romantic name which occurs in the catalogues is that of
William Dampier (1652-1715), navigator and buccaneer, who is known to have
taken considerable interest in the natural history of the countries he visited. Thus
in his Observations on the Coast of New Holland, 1699, the following passage occurs
regarding the shells observed in Sharks Bay: " Of shell fish we got here muscles,
periwinkles, limpits, oysters, cockles, etc. The shore was lined thick with many
other sorts of very strange and beautiful shells, for variety of colour and shape, most
finely spotted with red, black or yellow, etc., such as I have not seen anywhere but

io THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

this place. I brought away a great many of them, but lost all except a very few,
and those not of the best." The few specimens extant in the collection given to
Sloane by Dampier himself, belong to a later period, being catalogued as from
" Dampier's 2nd circumnavigation " — probably the voyage made in 1708-n
financed by several Bristol merchants with the object of harassing the Spanish
shipping in the South Seas. Dampier acted as navigator under Captain Woodes
Rogers, who has left an account of the voyage.

Later contributors include Mark Catesby (d. 1749); Peter Collinson (d. 1768),
and John Bartram the elder (d. 1777), each of whom added in some way to the
Sloane collection. Mark Catesby, author of the Natural History of Carolina, appears
most frequently in the catalogues of his patron, and there is abundant evidence,
both in the preface to his work and in the actual catalogue entries, that Sloane was
amply recompensed for his generosity in helping to finance Catesby's stay in Caro-
lina from 1722 to 1726.

The opening of the Sloane collection to the public in 1759, under its new title of
" The British Museum," and the engagement of the nucleus of a scientific staff, made
a vast quantity of un worked material available to authors of the late eighteenth
and early nineteenth centuries. Writers on conchology were not slow to grasp
this opportunity, and thus began an era of scientific and popular publications that
reached its zenith with the production of Lovell Reeve's Conchologia Iconica (com-
menced in 1843 and based largely on Museum material).

One of the earliest works to appear within a few years of the transition of the
Sloane collection from private hands to a public institution, was the anonymous
Conchology, usually ascribed to the joint authorship of E. M. da Costa and George
Humphreys, published in 1770. The plates were finely coloured and perhaps too
elaborate to be produced economically, for the first part was the only one issued,
further parts being held up "at least for the present " through lack of suitable
encouragement, a situation which da Costa (pp. 51-52) was at some pains to explain,
thereby giving a good clue to the actual authorship. Several Museum specimens
were included among the excellent figures and, as far as can be ascertained, this is
the only work to figure a specimen, quoting an original Sloane number in the text.

George Shaw (1751-1813), Assistant Keeper of the Natural History Department
in 1791 and first Keeper of the new " Department of Natural History and Modern
Curiosities " instituted in 1806, was one of the most prolific writers of his time on
Natural History, but his works were mostly compilations and added little to the
Conchological knowledge of his day. Some, at least, of the many coloured plates
of shells scattered through the twenty-four volumes of the Naturalist's Miscellany
(1790-1813) were based on Sloane material, and therefore " drawn and described
immediately from nature " as specified on the title-pages, but the majority were
copied, often inaccurately, from Knorr (1760-73), Chemnitz (1769-95), and other
authors. The plates were engraved by R. Nodder, who seems to have used little,
or perhaps too much, imagination in his work, for some of the figures have been
found to be mere tracings, apparently transferred to the plates without troubling
to reverse them, so that the serious fault of normally dextral shells becoming
sinistral frequently occurs. Dr. Shaw has been praised for the " elegant latinity "

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION n

of his descriptions, but it would seem that Swainson's characteristic and even
pungent accusation of his " habitually purloining from the works of others " may
at least have some foundation in fact.

Of greater value were the three volumes of the Zoological Miscellany compiled
and published by Dr. W. E. Leach from 1814 to 1817, and usually regarded as a
continuation of Shaw's series, completed before his death in 1813. Leach was
appointed Assistant Keeper under Konig in 1813, and did much to improve the
Sloane collections, which had already begun to deteriorate, owing partly to the
imperfect preservation of specimens by the older naturalists. The Sloane shells
were evidently examined and several described and figured in the Miscellany as
new to science. Three of these have been recognized and will be mentioned more
fully later.

Another early work, the Museum Britannicum, purporting to be a description of
the " Magnificent Cabinet, the British Museum," published in folio by J. & A. van
Rymsdyk in 1778, contained several figures of Sloane shells; in particular a plate
devoted to the Pinna, "Pinna marina " or Fan Mussel, with figures of the shell,
and a pair of gloves woven from the fibres of its silky byssus, from Andalusia,
presented to Sir Hans Sloane by the Duke of Richmond. One of these gloves is
still extant and in good preservation.

Dr. Leach's successor, J. G. Children, also used Museum material to illustrate his
translation of Lamarck's Genera of Shells, which appeared in the Quarterly Journal
of Science 1822-1823; the drawings for the folding plates, engraved by Basire,
were prepared by his daughter, and undoubtedly include a selection of Sloane
specimens.

In 1828 William Wood compiled a Supplement to the second edition of his Index
Testaceologicus, originally published in 1825, in which the first attempt was made to
bring a practical illustrated index of almost every species of shell known at that time
within easy reach of the general public, an object that was achieved with some
success by engraving and colouring the figures in miniature, with code marks indi-
cating the actual size of the specimens.

In the preface to his Supplement Wood noted that the majority of the shells
illustrated were from the British Museum collection, and one or two of these have
been identified as original Sloane specimens.

Edward Griffith's 1834 edition of Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, of which he and
Edward Pigeon produced the volume on the " Mollusca and Radiata," falls into a
similar category as Wood's Supplement, for a single line in very small type at the
foot of the first page of the Index informs the reader that " most of the inedited
shells figured are from the collection in the British Museum "; this line takes on
its full meaning when it is found that many items in the Index are new names, with
short descriptions, apparently contributed by John Edward Gray, who was appointed
Assistant in 1824 under J. G. Children.

The possibilities of this volume have not yet been fully explored for Sloane material,
but the original of Gray's Voluta rudis, PI. 30, fig. 1 (previously described as Voluta
ferussaci by Donovan in 1824), has been recovered, and although it bears no Sloane
catalogue number, the general appearance of the specimen suggests that it may

12 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

be one of the long series of shells received by Sloane from one of its recorded
localities, the Straits of Magellan.

By 1836, just seventy-seven years after the opening of the Museum, the Sloane
shell collection may be said to have lost a great deal of its identity, for by that time
it had become merged with the collections of the Royal Society (presented in 1781),
and of the Rev. Mordaunt Cracherode (bequeathed in 1799). Sundry purchases
from private collections such as the Earl of Tankerville's in 1825, and the incorpora-
tion of the collections of Sir Joseph Banks in 1827, na d increased the collection to such
an extent that in 1836 J. E. Gray estimated that it consisted of no less than 15,000
specimens (4,025 species). This total appears rather high, but it should be
remembered that the Sloane collection itself contained a far greater number of
shells than is usually accepted, and also that until 183^, when a separate Depart-
ment of Geology was created, the general collection included fossil as well as recent
shells.

The original collection was finally eclipsed by the acquisition in 1837 °f * ne very
fine series of shells formed by W. J. Broderip, F.R.S., which, in the words of Mr.
Edgar Smith, " must have altogether altered the character of the National collection."
It was probably on this occasion, as already suggested, that many Sloane specimens
were cleaned to achieve uniformity with these fresh ones, with the result that
catalogue-numbers were either partly or completely obliterated. As the present search
for Sloane material continued, it became increasingly evident that this explanation
was the right one, and that an excess of zeal on the part of early curators may be
partly responsible for the belief of the later curators (notably E. A. Smith) that
the original Sloane shells had completely lost their identity.

J. E. Gray (appointed to the Keepership in 1840) was probably the last author
to describe Sloane specimens as such, for in 1849 ne published Part One of the
Catalogue of Mollusca in the British Museum, which dealt with the Cephalopoda ;
this included two new species based on Sloane specimens, Sepioteuthis sloanii 1
(previously described in manuscript by Leach) and Ommastrephes sloanii, both
noted as " Mus. Sloane." The dry gladius of the former, removed by Leach himself,
and the animal in spirit are still extant, but only a few fragments of the dried
gladius of the latter remain.

In 1850 and succeeding years Dr. Gray compiled several more Mollusca cata-
logues, marking the species represented in the Museum collection with a " B.M.";
specimens whose origin was unknown were marked "Hab-?" and it is highly probable
that Sloane material, which had long lost its identity, was unconsciously included
in these and other publications in which this prolific author was interested.

As already suggested above, it is likely that a considerable number of Sloane
specimens are still unrecognized in the general collection ; these may come to light
in the course of routine curatorial work, but sufficient have now been recovered to
indicate the scope and historical importance of the collection in its original con-
dition, and to make it possible to appreciate the great contribution made to early
science by Courten, Sloane, and Petiver.

1 This is Sepioteuthis sepioidea Blainville, a Caribbean species.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 13

2. CATALOGUE OF THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Section I.

Introductory notes

This section of the catalogue deals with specimens figured by Martin Lister in the
Historia Conchyliorum, the Sloane numbers and modern names 1 being followed by
Lister's original Latin descriptions, copied from the engraved title-pages and plates.
The specimens are catalogued in the order in which they appeared in the original
work. Reference to a later author indicates that the specimen is the original of the
figure referred to by that author in his synonomy.

The iconographies of Lister and Petiver were perforce used by the early sys-
tematists when compiling their synonomies, and it therefore happens that a number
of the originals of figures referred to by Linne, Gmelin, Born, and Lamarck are
included in the series of figured specimens recently recognized among the Sloane
shells.

According to Hanley (p. 7), Linne, with very few unrecorded exceptions, had
examples of the species he described in his own private collection, at the time of
publication of the tenth edition of the Systema, and from the frequent use by
Lamarck of the phrase " mon cabinet " in his own work it is manifest that he was in
a similar position. Opinions are therefore divided as to the precise status of the
originals of the figures of Lister and Petiver, so often referred to by these authors,
to supplement their somewhat meagre descriptions, but whatever the outcome of
this difference of opinion, they may at least be regarded as type material of a second-
ary nature, which would become available in the event of total loss of the author's
original specimens.

Lister's Historia Conchyliorum was divided into Books, Sections and Headings,
approximating in some measure to the Orders, Families and Genera of recent times,
but apart from the engraved preface (which deals entirely with remarks on land
shells) and separate title pages to each book and section, there was no actual text,
all sectional headings and specific descriptions being engraved on the individual
plates with the figures. Lister was an excellent anatomist, and it was his intention
to follow his volume of plates with anatomical descriptions of every family in its
proper order. Had it been at all possible to carry out this plan, it is certain that the
clumsy and artificial method he employed would have been greatly modified, but
with all its faults, the Historia contained the first real attempt at a system of
Conchology, and did much to bring that science into repute.

The work was produced at Lister's own expense (" Sumtibus authoris "), the
plates being altered, re-numbered and sometimes replaced as his ideas developed;
for this reason scarcely any two of the earlier copies are alike. The plates, which
amount to 1,067 m the most perfect copies, run consecutively throughout the work,
but the figures are numbered as species in the sections, each section commencing
with species 1.

1 The nomenclature used throughout this paper is based on Thiele's Handbuch, 1931 and 1935.

i 4 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

The four books of the Historia are arranged and dated as follows :

Liber I.

1685.

Tab.

1 -105

Liber II.

1686.

>>

106-160

Liber III.

1687.

>>

161-445

Appendix.

1688.

>>

446-523

Liber IV.

1688.

>>

524-1025:

Liber IV.
Appendix.

1692 (1697).
Tab. 1026-1054:

Cochleis Terrestribus.

Turbinibus et Bivalvibus, aquae dulcis.

Bivalvibus marinis.

Conchitis Lapidibus.

Vermiculi, Dentalia et Patellae.

Polypis testaceis sive Nautilis.

Cochleis marinis.

Buccinis marinis.

Buccinitis lapidibus.

Mantissa and Appendicis Synopsin. Tab. 1055-1059.

The last five plates seem to have been drawn by different artists, most of the
specimens apparently being from collections other than those connected with the
present account.

Specimens Figured by Martin Lister

in the

Historia Sive Synopsis Methodica Conchyliorum

1685-1692

Sloane No.

1906. Strophochilus almeida (Spix).

Liber 1. Pars Prima, de Turbinibus Terrestribus.

Sectio 1. de Buccinis Terrestribus a sinistra dextrorsum tortilibus, laevibus,
edentulis.

Tab. 24, species 22. idem cum proxime superiore ?
Locality : Indiana Orientalem.

On pi. 23 Lister figured a fully-grown Borus oblongus, together with the large
egg and recently emerged young shell, and it appears from the description that
he thought his species 22 might be a further growth-stage of Borus ; but on this
occasion Lister's usual good judgment was at fault, the shells there figured belong-
ing to an entirely different species. The sculpture has been obliterated by polish-
ing, a fact that is indicated effectively by the strong high-lights shown in the
figures. .
1963. Acavus haemastoma (Linne) var. melanotragus (Born). figs. 4-8.

Liber I. Sectio 6. de Turbinibus terrestribus.
Tab. 45, species 43. cochlea latis et nigricantibus faciis donata.
1993. Ampullarius (Ceratodes) cornuarietis (Linne). figs. 9-12.

Liber II. Sectio 3. de Cochleis fluviatilibus compressis.

Tab. 136, species 40. cochlea maxima, compressa fasciata.

Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10 (Helix), 1758, 771 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1244.

?. Pecten (Chlamys) squamosa (Gmelin). figs. 16-18.

Liber III. Pars prima, de bivalvibus imparibus testis.

Sectio 1. Caput 4. de Pectinibus inequaliter auritis, Dentatis.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 15

Shane No.

Tab. 184, species 21. (No specific description.)

J. F. Gmelin in Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 13 (Ostrea), i, 1790, 3319.

The following description of this specimen was written by Lister in one of the
Huddesford notes, and although it suits the shell admirably, it was not engraved
on the plate :

184.21. "This is the toothless under shell of a Scallop with a flat rib;
it is smooth and curiously marbled with a white and dark hair colour."

It is of interest to note that Lister was far in advance of his time in dividing
the species of Pecten into groups, based on the equality or inequality of the valves
and " ears " of the shells, and the attention given in his descriptions to the number
of ribs and varying character of shell sculpture, is comparable with the importance
attached to these same characters in the Pectinidae by present-day taxonomists.

1040. Placenta placenta (Linne).

Liber III. Pars secunda, de bivalvibus parts testis.

Sectio 1. Caput 2. de Pectinibus binis apophysibus longis conjunctis.

Tab. 225, species 60. Pecten planus pellucidus.

Tab. 226, fig. 61. Idem ex interna parte.

Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10 (Anomia), 1758, 703 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1154.

3722. Area (Cunearca) brasiliana Lamarck.

Liber III. Sectio 2. Caput 1. de Pectunculis polyleptoginglymis ex altera parte

productiore.

Tab. 230, species 64a. (No specific description.)

1387. Area (Scapharca) granosa Linne.

Liber III. Sectio 2. Caput 2. de Pectunculis polyleptoginglymis margine rotunda,

striatis.

Tab. 241, species 78. Pectunculus striis magnis muricatis donatus.

164. Panopea glycimeris (Born).

Liber III. Sectio 10. Caput 1. de Chamae, ab altero tantum latere fere naturaliter

hiantibus.

Tab. 414, species 258. Chama glycymeris Aldrovandi.
Locality : Maris hispanic mediter. (Lister).

I. Born, Index Mus. Caesarei Vindobonensis {My a), 1778, 10.
Synonym : Panopea Aldrovandi Menard de la Groye.

Menard de la Groye, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. (Paris), 9, 1807, 136.

Renamed by Menard when founding his genus Panopea, in honour of Aldro-
vandus, who was the first to describe and figure this shell in 1610. Born's own
figure and references to Aldrovandus and Lister show his Mya glycimeris to
have priority.

745. Pholas (Monothyra) orientalis Gmelin. figs. 19-21.

Liber III. Multivalvium. Sectio 1. de Pholadibus, i.e., trium testarum conchis,

cardinibus loculis quibusdam quasi per-
foratis.

Tab. 431, species 274. pholas albus, angustus, ad dimidium fere dorsi laevis.
J. F. Gmelin in Linn. Syst., ed. 13 (Pholas), i, 1790, 3216.

16 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Shane No.

1013. Patella granularis Linne. fig. 29.

Liber IV. de Buccinis Marinis. Sectio 1. Caput 3. de Patellis vertice integro,

striatis, margine quasi
radiata.

Tab. 536, species 15. Patella subfusca, exiguis tuberculis, secundum strias, exasper-
ata.
Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 10 {Patella), 1758, 782 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1258.

1 105. Capulus (Krebsia) intortus Lamarck. fig. 30.

Liber IV. Sectio 1. Caput 5. de Patellis vertice adunco, margine obliqua.

Tab. 544, species 32. Patella alba hirsuta striata, vertice intorto.
Locality : Barbados (Lister).

3696. Natica lineata Lamarck.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 1. de Cochleis Marinis of ice brevi, umbilicatis, sinu

aurito.

Tab. 559, species 1. Cochlea albida, crebris lineis subrufis transversim et undatim
ductis depicta.

Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert, vi, 1819, 201.

748. Natica canrena (Linne).

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 1.

Tab. 560, species 4. Cochlea fusca, cujus tineas spirales aliquot albicantes.
2166. Natica cancellata Lamarck.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 1.

Tab. 561, species 8. (No specific description.)

749. Natica (Polynices) duplicata (Say).

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 1.

Tab. 562, species 9. Cochlea alba, umbilico, Puluinata margine circumdato,
clavicula compressa.
Locality: Campeche. Ind. Oce. (Lister).
15 17. Natica millipunctata Lamarck.
Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 1.

Tab. 564, species 11. Cochlea clavicula compressa, punctis rufis densi depicta.
Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert., vi, 1819, 200.

1584. Natica fulminea (Gmelin). fig. 23.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 2. de Cochleis marinis apice brevi umbilico simplici.

Tab. 567, species 17. Cochlea clavicula compressa, lineis rufis undalis dense depicta.
J. F. Gmelin in Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 13, i, 1790, 3672.

2701. Turbo (Lunella) porphyrites (Martyn).

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 4. Cochleis marinis, basi brevi, apice ad oris initium

parum elato.
Tab. 576, species 29. Cochlea subviridis, umbilicata variegata.
209. Turbo marmoratus Linn6.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 6. de Cochleis marinis, apice mediocriter producta,

ore edentulo, laevibus.
Tab. 587, species 46. (No specific description.)

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 17

Sloane No.

1 108. Turritella exoleta (Linn6). figs. 13-15.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 7. de Cochleis marinis, apice mediocriter producta,

striatis.

Tab. 589, species 53. (No specific description.)

The Sloane shell reproduced on plate 5 was selected from several examples
in the collection, previous to a sight of the Bodleian drawing and now reproduced
above it on the same plate. From this it will be seen that the original, which
agrees with the engraving as far as the penultimate whorl, was made from a
damaged specimen lacking the full aperture.

A close study of Lister's plate reveals the fact that the damaged shell was
originally engraved as shown in the drawing, the incomplete last whorl being
later removed and completed from a more perfect specimen. The added portion
is somewhat darker than the rest of the figure, also faint traces of the original
shape are still discernible inside the aperture.

This engraving contains the work of both the artists, for the upper whorls
are definitely the work of Susanna Lister, the alteration being carried out in the
firmer style of Anna.

Although the Sloane specimen cannot now be claimed as the original of the
figure, it has been allowed to remain as an example of the care taken by Lister
to make his figures as perfect as possible. Several abandoned drawings, and
even finished engravings, of imperfect specimens have been seen among the
Bodleian and Radcliffe collections.

2659. Turritella variegata (Linne). fig. 27.

Liber IV. Sectio 5. Caput 9. de Cochleis marinis, clavicula tenuis et longis-

sima, laevibus.

Tab. 593, species 61. Cochlea variegate* parvum aut leviter striata parte orbis superi-
oris cujusq ; fortiore.

Although this figure was not referred to by Linne in either the 10th or 12th
edition of the Sy sterna, Hanley (p. 350) states that " List. 593 " was added to
the synonymy in a copy of the 12th edition, corrected and enlarged by Linne
- ( for his projected 13th edition.

2243. Cypraea mauritiana Linne. fig. 22.

Liber IV. Sectio. 10. de Rhombis sive strombis (pars prima).

Caput 8. de Rhombis edentulis, ore patulo, clavicula, compressa.

Tab. 748, species 43. Rhombus tenuis, ex fusco nebulatus, fasciatusq.

This figure is of a juvenile shell which had not passed the thin, sharp-lipped
stage of growth, and was therefore mistaken by Lister for a thin species of Conus.

2239. Conus (Chelyconus) janus Hwass. fig. 25.

Liber IV. Sectio 10 (pars secunda). Rhombis cylindro pyramidalibus.
Caput 5. de Rhombis fasciatis.

Tab. 785, specjes 33. Rhombus ex rufo fasciatus et undatus, clavicula tenui et
acuta.

Hwass in J. G. Bruguiere, Ency. Meth. (Vers), (2), 1792, 690.
1623. Conus (Leptoconus) generalis Linne.

Liber IV. Sectio 10 (pars secunda). Caput 5.
Tab. 786, species 35. Rhombus fasciatus et undatus clav. tenui.
Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 12, 1767, 1166.

hist. 1, 1. 2

18 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Shane No.

1797. Cymbium tesselata Lamarck. fig. 28.

Liber IV. Sectio 11. de Buccinis columella dentata.

Caput. 1. de Buccinis Persicis dictis.
Tab. 798, species 4. Buccinum P. fasciatum, clavicula muricibus covonata.
Fig. 5. An idem, corona detrita ?

The original of fig. 5 is a juvenile specimen, in which Lister had imagined the
spines to have been worn away, but actually they had only just commenced
to form, the first being clearly shown at the suture. A fully grown shell with
the full corona of spines was given in the previous plate (Tab. 797), with the
description quoted above. The figure was copied, with acknowledgments, from
Wenceslaus Hollar, who is said by Hind (p. 9) to have produced a series of thirty-
eight plates of shells, probably from the collection of the Duke of Arundel, about
1650, and there is little doubt that Lister gained inspiration from Hollar's work.

i Voluta (Aulica) scapha Gmelin. figs. 31-32.

Liber IV. Sectio 11. Caput 1.

Tab. 799, species 6. Buccinum persicum undatum, clavicula, paululum exevta.

J. F. Gmelin in Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 13, i, 1790, 3468 (Voluta).

Repeated examination of this shell has failed to reveal any trace of a Sloane
number, but the excellence of the figure leaves no doubt whatever that it is
the original specimen drawn by Anna Lister in 1688.

2374. Cymbium aethiopicum (Linne).

Liber IV. Sectio II. Cap. 1.

Tab. 801, species 7b. (No specific description.)

J. F. Gmelin in Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 13, i, 1790, 3465 (Voluta).

This figure was included by Gmehn in his synonymy, in addition to those
quoted by Linne\ and agrees tolerably well with the figures of Rumphius and
Argenville, usually considered by authors to conform to the original description.

1578. Lathyrus (Leucozonia) cingulifera (Lamarck). fig. 24.

Liber 4. Sectio 11. Caput 2. de Buccinis Musicis dictis.

Tab. 828, species 50. Buccinum dentatum, rostratum, fuscum, clavicula muricata.
Lamarck An. Sans. Vert, vii (Turbinella) , 1822, 107.

3871. Rostellaria rectirostris Lamarck. figs. 33-35.

Liber IV. Sectio 12. de Purpuris Bilinguibus.

Caput. 1. de Purpuribus Bilinguibus laevibus.

Tab. 854, species II. Buccinum B. laeve, clavicula longissima, rostro tenui cornuto,
labro muricato.

Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert., vii, 1822, 192.

2816. Strombus tricornis Lamarck.

Liber IV. Sectio 12. Caput 4. de Buccinis Bilinguibus digitalis.

Tab. 873, species 29. Buccinum Bilinguibus majus, ex rufo radiatum, muricatum,
unico digito in imo labro.

Lamarck, An. Sans Vert., vii, 1822, 201.

2276. Busy con py rum (Dillyn). fig. 26.

Liber IV. Sectio 13. de Buccinis ventricosis clavicula minus exerta.

Caput. 1. de Buccinis Ampullaceis, laevibus, aut certe minus asperis.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 19

Shane No.

Tab. 877, species 1. (No specific description.)

This is one of the few shells to bear an original Courten label, which gives the
locality of the specimen as "Bay of Campeche." This label must have been in
existence in Lister's time, and it is curious that he did not add this locality to
his plate.

? Galeodes bucephala (Lamarck).

Liber IV. Sectio 13. Caput 1.

Tab. 885, species 6b. (No specific description.)
2303. Galeodes galeodes (Lamarck).

Liber IV. Sectio 13. Caput 1.

Tab. 895, species 15. Buccinum A. grave, subfuscum, rostro leviter umbilicato sive
sinuoso, muricatum, clavicula compressa. .

? Strombus pugilis Linn6.

Liber IV. Sectio 13. Caput 2. de Buccinis ampullaceis muricatis.
Tab. 906, species 26. (No specific description.)

Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1758, 744 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1209.

This shell is a monstrosity, in which the normally sharp spines are flattened
and paddle-shaped ; references to the figure given by Lister head the Linnean
synonymies in the tenth and twelfth editions of the Systema, in both of which
the further references given are to figures of the normal form.

One explanation for the inclusion of the monstrosity may be that the name
was given in the first place to Lister's figure, before normal examples had come
to the author's notice, an explanation that is supported by the aptness of the
name pugilis for the monstrosity rather than the normal form.

According to Hanley (p. 269), the reference to the figure was erased from
Linne's corrected copy of the twelfth edition.

? Murex (Homalocantha) rota Mawe.

Liber IV. Sectio 13. Caput 2.
Tab. 906, species 25. (No specific description.)
1481. Fasciolaria distans Lamarck. figs. 36-38.

Liber IV. Sectio 14. Buccinis et Rostratis et clavicula productiore.
Caput 1. de Buccinis utrinq, productioribus, Laevibus.
Tab. 910, species 1. Buccinum Rostratum, ponderosum, laeve, raris lineis rufis
circumdatum.
Locality : Campeche (Lister) .
Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert, vii, 1822, 119.

This shell stands in close relationship to Lamarck's type, as it was the only
one referred to in his synonymy.

? Fasciolaria gigantea Kiener.

Liber IV. Sectio 14. Caput 2. de Buccinis utrinq, productioribus, striis densis et

tenuioribus exasperatus.
Tab. 931, species 26. Buccinum R. duplicibus lineolis subfuscis circumdatum,
inter sinus nodosum.
There are two plates numbered 93 1 , the first only being given a species number
and description, and it has therefore been concluded that Lister considered the
specimen on the second (folding) plate, showing a full-sized figure of F. gigantea,
nineteen inches in length to be a large example of his species 26, (Fasciolaria
trapezium Lamarck,) the description being intended for both figures.

20 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No.

? Bursa ( Bufonariella) scrobiculator Linne.

Liber IV. Sectio 14. Caput 4. de Buccinis utrinq productioribus striis Paucio-

sibus, labro duplicate donatis.

Tab. 943, species 39. Buccinum R. labro duplicate, dentate, duplici serie sinum
cavato.

Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 12 (Murex), 1767, 1218.

3891. Murex (Muricantha) imperialis Swainson.

Liber IV. Sectio 14. Caput 4.

Tab. 944, species 39a. Buccinum R. labro duplicate, dentate, duplici serie sinum
cavato.

143. Charonia lampas (Linne).

Liber IV. Sectio 15. de Buccinis quibus rostrum Breve oris hiatum non excedens.
Caput 2. de Buccinis brevi rostris striatis.

Tab. 960, species 13. Buccinum brevi rostrum, maximum, ex rufo nebulatum,

nodosum.
Synonym Charonia nodiferum (Lamarck).
Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert, vii (Triton), 1822, 179.

3924. Cassis (Phalium) strigata Gmelin.

Liber IV. Sectio 15. Caput 7. de Buccinis auritis, sive rostro Recurvo donatis,

ventricosis.
Tab. 1014, species 78. (No specific description.)

Synonym : Cassis (Phalium) zebra Lamarck.
Lamarck, An. Sans. Vert., vii, 1822, 223.

In addition to the Sloane specimens already catalogued and recognized as those
figured by Lister, there is a balance of some fifty numbered shells for which localities
or donors' names do not appear in the Sloane catalogues, and as most of them are
the first, and sometimes the only specimens entered under individual numbers, it
is reasonably certain that they were from the collection of William Courten,
bequeathed to Sloane in 1702. Certain of these shells bear a close resemblance to
Lister's figures, and although they may not prove to be the actual specimens used,
they can safely be regarded as contemporary with them. The series includes some
of the oldest specimens in the collection, and it may be of interest to record a few
of these in detail.

Sloane No.

3805. Ampullarius urceus (Miiller).

O. F. Miiller, Verm. XX, 174, sp. 360 (Nerita), 1774.

Liber II. Sectio 1. de Cochleis Fluviatilibus.

Tab. 125, species 25. Cochlea maxima, e viridi nigricans.

Lister's figure and description indicates that the black periostracum, character-
istic of the species, was present in his specimen, but the Sloane shell is practically
white, this thin covering having been peeled off or removed by cleaning. The
figured shell has a thickened callosity on the columellar, but in other respects
closely resembles the contemporary Sloane specimen. Miiller gave the locality

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 21

Sloane No.

as "In Insulis Indiae," and noted that the species was edible. Dillwyn (p.
918) ends his description of this species with the remark that "it is generally
known by the name of the Cocoa Nut Snail." Alderson, who considered Lister's
figures of Ampullariidae to be the earliest extant (p. vii), gives a wide range for
this species in the West Indies and confirms Miiller's note that A . urceus is edible,
adding that the flesh of the animal is highly valued by the Indians as a restorative
to sobriety following debauches of the piwarri drink (p. 11).

488. Isocardia Humana (Linn6).

Liber III. Sectio 3. Cap 3. de Pectunculis laevibus Rostro Recurvo.

Tab. 275, species hi. Bucardia Aug. Scilla.

Locality : Mar. Adriatico (Lister).

This species, formerly known as Isocardia Coy (L.), the Heart Cockle, was cata-
logued by Sloane as " the original shell of the Bucardites," meaning no doubt that
it was the living representative of the fossil forms, for which the name Bucardia
had been used by Imperato as early as 1599. Augustino Scilla used the name
in 1670 in his work on the comparison between recent and fossil shells, giving
an excellent figure (tab.xvi, f, A. A.), and the description " Rarissima concha,
quae bucardia appelata." References to both these early workers appear in
the Sloane catalogue in the handwriting of James Empson. Lister gave two
figures of this shell on his plate 275, the upper showing the interior of one valve,
and the lower a complete specimen with the valves partly open, copied from
Buonanni (fig. 88). The right valve of the Sloane specimen fits the upper figure
precisely and may well be the original of Lister's plate.

1895. Borus oblongus (Muller).

Surinam (Sloane).

O. F. Muller. Verm., 11, 86, sp. 284 (Helix), 1774.

Liber I. Sectio 1. de Buccinis Terrestribus a sinistra dextrorsum tortilibus, laevibus,
edentulis.

Tab. 23, species 21. Buccinum admodum crassum, ingens, quinq, orbium, laeviter
purpurascens.

Surinam (Lister). Oviparum.

From contemporary correspondence it appears that the specimens figured on
Lister's plate were received by Courten from Surinam early in 1690, and passed on
to Lister for illustration. The figures show an adult B. oblongus, with a thickened
lip, together with the large egg, and a recently emerged young shell. The brief
mention of the arrival of this novelty in letters passing between Lister, Ray and
Lhwyd, during April and May, 1690, gives the impression that they were not a little
puzzled by the size of the young shells received compared to the egg, but as the
contents of Lister's letter is not known, the correct explanation of his problem must
remain in doubt.

Lister apparently first mentioned the matter in a letter to Lhwyd dated 4th
April, 1690, for in a postscript to his reply the following month (quoted by Gunther,
1945, p. 102) Lhwyd says: " I thank you for yr account of ye shell from Suranam.
Its strange if ye young snayles be hard, & twise as big as ye shell immediately
upon exclusion." In the interval between his receipt of Lister's letter and his

22 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

reply Lhwyd included an account of these " snayles " in a letter to John Ray,
who replied on 7th May. 1690, saying: " The snail you write off, received by
Mr. Charlton from Surinam is very strange and remarkable. But how ye young
snayle hatch't of ye egges should come to be twice so big as ye egges, I understand
not." (Gunther, 1928, p. 207.) Lister's figure of the young shell is a little larger
than the egg figured on the same plate, and it is quite possible that some of the
eggs sent to Courten hatched out, and increased the size of their shells in transit.

Lister hastened to illustrate adult and juvenile shells in an early edition of the
Historia, where the plate appears without the "Tab 6" added when it was re-issued
as pi. 6 in his Exercitatio Anotomica, published in 1694. The altered plate, still
bearing the " Tab. 6," was replaced in its former position, and appeared thus in the
second and third (Huddesford) editions. In a copy of the work given by Lister to
John Ray (B.M.435, f. 18) the plate appears without heading or number, a
fact that provides further proof that most early copies varied in some respect, and
confirms the opinion of Da Costa (1776, p. 35) that " a second edition was published
at one time, which was soon after the completion of the first edition of 1692."

The specimen of B. oblongus figured by Lister appears from the thickened lip to
be the variety crassa Albers, but the Sloane specimen is normal, a condition that
does not affect the opinion that it is contemporary, and probably from the same
sending as the figured specimen.

Section II.

This section deals with specimens now extant, figured and described by James
Petiver from 1698 to 1712, a period which covered the majority of his contributions
to the Philosophical Transactions (Journal of the Royal Society), The Monthly
Miscellany, or Memoirs for the Curious, and his most important work, the Gazo-
phylacium Naturae et Artis. Petiver 's main interest seems to have been to obtain
complete faunas and smaller localized collections, to be reported upon and kept
intact thereafter, an object that is referred to with some warmth in an editorial printed
in the Transactions for 1703 (pp. 1411-1412) announcing the completion of the first
part, or " Decade," of the Gazophylacium, in which the writer (surely Petiver him-
self?) remarks that " one advantage will accrue, by publishing these things in
Decades, that of preserving them entire, which are too often mangled, scatter'd, or
absconded by change of hands." Unfortunately these fears were realized when
Petiver's collections came into Sloane's possession in 1718, for although they were
duly catalogued, all the specimens from these local collections were added to his
own, piecemeal. This was partly due to Petiver's own carelessness in storing his
specimens, for in the preface to the Natural History of Jamaica (vol. ii, p. 4) Sloane
says that " Mr. Petiver put them in heaps, with sometimes small labels of paper,
where they were many of them injured by Dust, Insects, Rain, etc.,"; similar
confusion reigned among the papers dealing with the collections, and it was only
by long and tedious work on the part of the new owner that the material was put
in order and catalogued to his satisfaction.

As in the first section of the present catalogue, Petiver's figures and descriptions
are arranged in order of publication, with localities and collectors' names, preceded

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 23

by the Sloane number and modern name. Full Latin and English descriptions
are only given for items from the Gazophylacium.

Specimens Figured by James Petiver

in the

Gazophylacium Naturae et Artis

1702-1709

Sloane No.

1 183. Trochus radiatus Gmelin.

PI. 20, fig. 4. Trochus Indicus 4 rubro & pallido radiatus.
Bay of Bengal. Mr. Stocker.
1 108. Turritella exoleta (Linne).

PI. 46, fig. 7. Unicomu Nevisense, gyris cavis.
" Hollow twirl'd nevis unicorn."
There is little doubt that, although Petiver had several specimens of this shell,
the figure was copied from Lister's plate 589, sp. 53.

2814. Murex (Bolinus) brandaris Linne.

PI. 68, fig. 12. Murex mediter. aculeis rigidis brevibus.

" The Mediterranean common thorny Murex. Frequent in the Levant on the
European shores." Mus. Pet. Cat., 150.
2166. Natica cancellata Lamarck.

PI. 69, fig. 5. Cochlea caro. rimis tessellatis undata.

" Carolina Lattice furrowed, Welsh Pot shell." Mus. Pet. Cat., 566.
1594. Strombus gigas Linn6. (Juvenile.)

PL 74, fig. 1. Murex Jam. fasciata nodosa.

" Marbled Jamaica Murex, with knotty Twirls." Mus. Pet. Cat., 579.
1 105. Pileopsis intorta Lamarck.

PI. 95, fig. 12. Patella Barbadensis cancellata, rostro sinistro.

" Small Latticed Barbadoes Limpet with a crooked nose tending to the right."
Mus. Pet. Cat., 582.

179. Coitus (Rollus) geographus Linne\

PI. 98, fig. 8. Molucceus laevis, ex rufo alboque marmoratus.
" Light Molucca Cloath-shell." Mus. Pet. Cat., 244.
Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 12 (conus), 1767, 1172.

? Cymatium (Distortrix) anus (Linn6).

PI. 99, fig. 10. Buccinum Luz. ore parvo valde rugoso & lacerto (Luzon).

PI. 74, fig. 9. " An elegant rugged shell with flat lips from Pulo Condore." Mus.
Pet. Cat., 238.
Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1758, 750 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1218.

Petiver gave two figures of this shell, one good and easily recognized, the
other poor and badly drawn, but not too badly for Linne to recognize, for both
figures are quoted in the synonymies of this species in the 10th and 12th editions.

749. Natica (Polynices) didyma (Bolten).

PI. 99, fig. 15. Cochlea crassa, clavicula compressa.
" Flat headed Luzone thick shell."

24 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Shane No.

2846. Bursa rana (Linn6).

PI. 100, fig. 12. Murex alatus, circulis pulchre asperis.

" Borneo thorny curl'd Murex, brought from that island by Mr. John Ranee,
Surgeon." Mus. Pet. Cat., 249.

Linn. Syst. Nat. (Murex), ed. 10, 1758, 748 ; ed. 12, 1767, 1216.
3696. Natica lineata Lamarck.

PL 101, fig. 9. Cochlea auriculata fasciis castaneis pulchre obliquiis.
Collectiana Petiveriana, iii, 297.
" Brought from Bombay by Mr. Alex Christie, Surgeon."
983. Murex (Acupurpura) ternispina Lamarck.

PL 101, fig. 16. Buccinum ampullaceum rostratum striatum, triplici ordine muricum
exasperatum.

" From Bombay by Mr. Alex Christie."

1 1 14. Turritella duplicata (Linne).

PL 102, fig. 20. " Among the Bombay shells collected by Mr. Alex Christie, Sur-
geon."

The description given by Petiver for this shell refers to T. variegata, copied in
error from Lister, and noted as such by Sloane, in his own catalogue.

Specimens Described by James Petiver

in the

Philosophical Transactions and Memoirs for the Curious

1698-1708
Sloane No.

1982. Polygyra albolabris Say.

Maryland, Virginea. Rev. Hugh Jones.

Phil. Trans. No. 246, p. 395, species 3, 1698.
Mem. Cur., p. 97, species 3, 1708.

1 8 10. Bursa rhodostoma (Reeve).

Island of Ascension. Dr. James Cunningham.

Phil. Trans., No. 255, p. 295, species 19, 1699.

2220. Pirula ventricosus (Sowerby).

Fort St. George. Mr. Edward Bulkley, Surgeon.
Phil. Trans., No. 271, p. 860, species 8, 1701.

1 8 14. Cerithium nodulosum Bruguiere.

Mauritius. Mr. Roche.

Unicornu Mauritianum fasciis nodosis & striatis.

Phil. Trans., No. 271, p. 860, species 10, 1701.

" Mr. Roche first brought me this from Maurice his Island (which Seamen
commonly call the Morushias)."

2223. Conus (Hermes) nussatella Linne\

Fort St. George. Mr. Edward Bulkley, Surgeon.

" Rhombus madraspatanica — The Caterpilla."

Phil. Trans., No. 271, p. 860, species 3, 1701.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 25

Sloane No.

2121. Patella barbara Linne\

Moluccas. Sylvanus Landon & Rowleston Jacobs.
Phil. Trans., No. 274, p. 927, species 2, 1701.
1458. Conus (Chelyconus) testudinarius Broderip.
Moluccas. Landon & Jacobs.

" Light Molucca Cloath shell."
Phil. Trans., No. 274, p. 929, species 9, 1701.
48. Fasciolaria trapezium Lamarck.
Moluccas. Landon & Jacobs.

Phil. Trans., No. 274, p. 932, species 21, 1701.
115. Telescopium telescopium (Linne).

Bengal. Mr. Samuel Brown, Botanist.

Phil. Trans., No. 276, p. 1027, species 3, 1701.
2827. Murex (Muricantha) stainforthi Reeve.
Fort St. George. Mr. Edward Bulkley.

Phil. Trans., No. 276, p. 1029, species 40, 1701.
3925. Terebralia sulcatus (Born).

Bengal. Mr. Samuel Brown, Botanist.

Phil. Trans., No. 276, p. 1029, species 42, 1701.
3976. Area (Argina) campechiensis Gmelin.

Bay of Campeche. Mr. Robert Rutherford.
Phil. Trans., No. 282, p. 1266, species 2, 1702.
3722. Area (Cunearca) braziliana Lamarck.
Carolina. Mr. Robert Rutherford.

Phil. Trans., No. 299, p. 1953, species 5, 1705.
2646. Natica (Polynices) duplicata Say.
Carolina. Madame Williams.

Phil. Trans., No. 299, p. 1958, species 29, 1705.
Mem. Cur., g. 125, May, 1708.

750. Busy con carica (Gmelin).

Carolina. Madame Williams.

Phil. Trans., No. 299, p. 1958, species 32, 1705.
Mem. Cur., p. 191, July, 1708.

1805. Busy con carica (Gmelin).

Island of Triss. Mr. Fyfield, Surgeon.
Carolina. Madame Williams.

Phil. Trans., No. 299, p. 1959, species 35, 1705.

Mem. Cur., p. 190, July, 1708.

1584. Natica fulminea Lamarck.

Fort St. George. Mr. Fawcett.
Mem. Cur., p. 125, May, 1708.

26 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No.
173. Achatina purpurea (Gmelin).
Cape Coast.

Mem. Cur., p. 126, May, 1708.
1787. Conus (Chelyconus) corona-civica Roding.
Barbados.

Mem. Cur., p. 158, April, 1708.
1387. Area (Anodara) granosa Linne\
Malacca. Mr. Colvill, Surgeon.
" Warty India Barg Cockle."
Mem. Cur., p. 227, August, 1708.
1383. Area (Navicula) bistrigata Dunker.
Borneo.

Mem. Cur., p. 227, August, 1708.
291. Tridacna imbricata Roding.

E. Indies.

" Large scallopt basin shell."

Mem. Cur., p. 256, August, 1708.

752. Gibbula magus (Linne).

Coast of England, Ireland & " Nova Zembla."

" Knotted Top Shell."

Mem. Cur., p. 286, August (?), 1708.

1 108. Turritella exoletus (Linn6).

Barbados. Mrs. Newport.

Mem. Cur., p. 126, May, 1708.
2659. Turritella variegatus (Linne).

Fort St. George. Mr. Fawcett.

Mem. Cur., p. 126, May, 1708.

1 109. Turritella tortulosa Kiener.

Guinea.

Mem. Cur., p. 126, May, 1708.
Mus. Pet. Cat., p. 69, No. 736.

Section III

Specimens of the Shells Collected by Sir Hans Sloane

During his Visit to Jamaica

1687-1689

Introductory notes

At the age of twenty-seven Dr. Hans Sloane set sail from Plymouth on 5th October
1687, in the service of the newly appointed Governor of Jamaica, the Duke of
Albemarle, arriving safely at that island on 19th December in the same year. His

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 27

declared intention when accepting the appointment as Physician to the Duke and
his family was to learn and record as much about the medical resources and natural
history of Jamaica as his free time from professional duties would allow. Several
stops were made during the voyage, the longest being at Barbados, where Sloane
spent ten profitable days collecting and making notes upon all he saw, both as doctor
and naturalist. The Duke's vessel, the " Assistance," arrived at Port Royal,
Jamaica, on 19th December, and from that time until embarking for the return
voyage to England on 16th March, 1688-9, Dr. Sloane was continually busy giving
medical attention to the European residents and natives of the island, and collecting
sufficient natural history specimens to satisfy even his acquisitive tastes. He had
many requests from John Ray and other botanists for information which would
resolve their doubts about the descriptions of plants to be found in that part of
America, and it is remarkable that he found time to attend to these requests, in
addition to collecting much of the material to be used later in his voluminous Natural
History of Jamaica.

The shells found on the shores and in the woodlands of the island were very fully
described on pages 227 to 265 of Volume Two, which, for various reasons, did not
appear until 1725, nearly thirty-six years after his return from the voyage, and
twenty years after the publication of Volume One. During the long interval
between Sloane's return and the completion of his work, both Lister and Petiver
had figured and described many of the species, and in some instances the actual
specimens, included in his chapters dealing with the " Testacea " or shells, and it
was probably for this reason that only three of Sloane's large number of plates
were devoted to them. Full references to the figures in these previous publications,
with copies of the Latin descriptions of Lister and Petiver, were given for each
species, followed by additional descriptions and locality notes in English.

In the following catalogue of the surviving specimens of Sir Hans Sloane's Jamaica
shells, it has seemed expedient to shorten some of the lengthy English descriptions,
unimportant passages deleted being indicated by a series of dots.

Chapter I. Of Land and River Snails
Sloane No.
1983. Pleurodonte acuta (Lamarck) var. patina C. B. Adams.

Species I, page 227. fig. 39.

Cochlea terrestris maxima, compressa, fusca, ore unico dente donato . . . Tab.
240, fig. 6.7. List Hist. Conch., Tab. 95, No. 96? Cochlea Jamaicensis major
compressa unidens. Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 98, No. 12.

This shell was dark brown on the upper side, and lighter brown on the under,
with one dark Belt or Fascia. It was about an Inch and a half in Diameter,
compress'd, or a very little raised, had about six spiral circumvolutions, which
had on them capillary oblique Striae. The mouth was a little purplish, and had
in it one tooth. This varies in magnitude being found sometimes not over half
the Bigness of this here describ'd.

I found it in Jamaica and brought it hence.

28 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No.

1357. Pleurodonte acuta (Lamarck var. lucerna (Mull.).
Species II, page 227.
Eadam paulo minor alba, ore duobus dentibus donato . . . List Hist. Conch.,
Tab. 83, No. 87. Cochlea Jamaicensis depressa bidens. Pet. Gaz. Nat., Tab. 21,
fig. 6, Cat. p. 576. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, No. 13.

This is about one third Part less and white, otherwise the same in every respect.
I had it with the former.

2008. Pleurodonte acuta (Lamarck). Typical.
Species IV, p. 228.
Cochlea terrestris major, compressa, fusca, ore duobus dentibus donato.

This is not over half the bigness of the first, and hath two teeth in its Mouth,
and is of a brown colour, otherways exactly like it. I had it with the others.

1695. Pleurodonte (Eurycratera) aspera (Ferussac). fig. 41.

Species XI, p. 229.
Cochlea terrestris, maxima, albida, spiris parum elatis, ore tribus dentibus donato,
repando . . . List Hist. Conch., Tab. 94, No. 95.

This is two Inches long, about an Inch and a half broad, it consists of three
Circumvolutions or Spirae, more raised than any of the former, and they end in a
large, wide, brownish Purple Mouth, in which are three teeth set close together.

I found this snail in the Inland Woods where it was feeding on the leaves of
trees.

Chapter II. Of Patellae or Limpets

? Chiton (Acanthopleura) granulatus (Gmelin). fig. 45.

Species XI, page 233.

Patella oblonga, articulata, articulis extus, subfuscis, intus, e viridi caerulais . . .
Pet. Gaz. Nat., Tab. 1, fig. 3.

This, which sticks to Rocks under the Sea Water in Jamaica after the manner
of Limpets, is about two Inches long, one broad, made up of eight pieces or joints
laid over one another. Each of the six middlemost Joints is striated two ways
on each side, and smooth in the Top or Middle, of a dark brown Colour above,
and bluish green underneath. The whole Margin is made up of a Skin, on which
are many round rais'd Points, which are also on the first and last joints of the
shell.

I found it of several Magnitudes, sticking to the Rocks under water, on the
North side of the Island of Jamaica near Don Christopher's Cove. I have had
joints of it from Nieves.

? Species XII.

Patella oblonga, articulata, articulis extus albus, intus, e viridi fuscis.

It is the same in every Respect, only the colour on the outside is white and
hath no Striae, whether naturally, or that a Matter precipitated from the Sea
Water hath filled it up, I cannot determine.

These two descriptions refer to the same species, as Sloane seemed to
realize, the lack of colour and striae in the latter being due to erosion and
exposure to sun and air, a condition to which old specimens living just below
highwater mark are particularly liable. The specimen illustrated has a
small label attached, bearing the faint trace of a number, and the abbre-
viation " Jam " (Jamaica) in Sloane's writing.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 29

Chapter V. Of Nerits
Sloane No.

1531. Nerita polita Linne. fig. 42.

Species I, page 237.

Nerita utrinque dentalus ore citrino, eleganter <&> undatim variegatus. List Hist.

Conch., Tab. 600, No. 17.

This is more than an Inch long, half as broad, white, thick, and all over mark'd
with undulated and variously shap'd Fasciae or Belts of dark brown colour. The
mouth is tooth'd towards the Volutae and yellow ... I found it in Jamaica
with black and Purplish Fasciae, and have it with yellow and reddish Fasciae.
It comes also from the Island of Mauritius near Madagascar.

Chapter VI. Of Sea-snails <S» Trochi

177. Trochus (Livona) pica (Linne). fig. 48.

Species V, page 240.
Trochus maximus, laevis, ex nigro maculatus. List Hist. Conch. Tab. 640, No. 30
. . . Petiver Mus., p. 88, 845. Gaz. Nat., Tab. 70, fig. 9. The Large Barbadoes
Magpie Top-Shell. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 126.

This shell is three Inches in diameter at the round Base ... It is very solid
and ponderous, smooth, within white and shining, as if silver'd over. The outside
is of the same shiny colour, under a crust or outward skin marbled or variegated
with white and black spots and streaks.

These are common in the Seas of Jamaica, and are eaten by some people, being
of various Sizes. They are also found in the Seas near Barbadoes, Nieves, the
River Missisipi and the Bahama Islands.
752. Trochus (Gibbula) magus (Linn6). fig. 44.

Species VII, page 240.
Trochus parvus, striatis, undatim ex fusco dense radiatus. List Hist. Conch., Tab.
641, No. 31 ... List Hist. Animal. Angl., 166, Titulus 15.

I found this on the Shoars of Jamaica, and could observe no difference in it
from that met with on the Coasts of England, Scotland and Nova Zembla, from
all which Places I have had it brought me.

It appears that this Mediterranean and W. African species could only
have been introduced in ballast, as no record of its occurrence in the West
Indies has been found to date.
1 55 1. Astrea (Astralium) longispina (Lamarck).
Species VIII, page 240-241.
Trochus planior pyramidalis, striatus, muricibus radiatim ad marginem. List.
Hist. Conch., tab. 622 & 623, No. 9. Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 128, No. 19.
The diameter of this at the base ... is an inch, 'tis half as high from the
Base to the Apex. It hath several long apices, or extant points, along the Margin
of the Volutae, is white and shining like Pearl, when the outward whitish rough
skin is taken off.

I found this with other shells on the Coast of Jamaica.

1443. Astrea (Cyclocantha) calcar (Linne). fig. 49.

Species VIII, page 240-241.

This specimen was catalogued by Sloane as a variant of the previous
species, probably confusing it with the earlier growth stages, which are
much flatter than the mature shells.

30 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No.

1444. Astraea (Lithopoma) imbricatum (Gmelin).
Species IX, page 241.

Trochus pyramidalis, albidus, striatus, muvicatus. List Hist. Conch., Tab. 628,
No. 14 ... Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 128, No. 18 ?.

This is about an Inch in Diameter at the Base, about an Inch and a half high
from the Base to the Apex or End of the circumvolutions, which are muricated
for their whole length as the former, and have besides transverse Ridges and
Furrows very frequently of a reddish white colour.

I found one of them on the Shoar of Jamaica, with a Hermit Crab in it.

Two specimens of this species are extant, the smaller being the one de-
scribed above, collected by Sloane himself, and the other from Petiver's
collection recorded in 1708. It is quite possible that the former is the shell
figured by Lister, for the locality " Jamaica " is engraved on the plate.

1916, 1917. Astraea (Lithopoma) tuber (Linnd).

Species X, page 241.

Trochus major variegatus, ex viridi rufoq ; basi laevi, striis maltum extantibus dis-
tinctus. List Hist. Conch., Tab. 646, No. 38 ... Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708,
p. 128, No. 20.

This is about an Inch and a half in diameter at the Base where it is smooth.
It is about an Inch high from thence to the Apex or End of the Volutae which
are all underneath like Mother of Pearl and shining, and has a few transverse
Ribs and hollows between ... It is cover'd all over with a white Crust and
with Lines and Spots of reddish green and brown.

I found it plentifully on the Shores of the Island Jamaica.

Chapter VI. Of Buccina whose Spirae are Short

1787. Conus (Stephanoconus) coronacivica Roding fig. 46.

Species VII, page 243.

Rhombus Cylindro pyramidalis, brevis, minor, striatus, e fusco &■ albo variegatus,
clavicula levita nodosa 6- mucronata.

This shell is more than an Inch long, a little more than half an Inch broad
. . . The opening of the mouth is very narrow and straight, and there are
extant points or blunt apices like knots on the Ends of the Circumvolutions
. . . and the first and greatest Part of the shell is very pleasantly clouded with
white and brown clouds variously shaped covering it, over which are discernable
some striae.

I found it on the Shores of Jamaica.

Chapter VII. Of Buccina whose Spirae are longer and smooth

1482. Fasciolaria tulipa (Linne).
Species VII, page 245.

Buccinum rostratum grande, raris lineis circumdatum laeve, non nisi ima parte cujusq ;

orbis striata. List Hist. Conch., Tab. 911, fig. 2. Buccinum Jam. fasciatum tenue.

Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 190, No. 14.

This is about four Inches long, one and a half broad in the middle where broadest
. . . 'tis all over smooth and of a purplish white colour, having large Spots of
a brown colour all over the Volutae, and several brown Lines running spirally

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 31

the same course, so that I am something doubtful if that from Campeche figur'd
by Dr. Lister ib. Tab. 910 fig. 1 be not the same shell, only the marbled brown
spots worn out and the lines remaining. It hath a wide, long Mouth without
teeth.

I found these of several Magnitudes and Ages in the Seas adjoining to Jamaica,
and have had it from the Island Beata and River Mississipi.

Lister, Petiver and Sloane had each noticed certain differences between
the several examples of this shell known to them, Lister going so far as to
figure and describe a smooth, pale form with widely spaced lines separately,
but it was not until 1822 that Lamarck confirmed the suspicions of these
early workers, and finally separated the shell now known as Fasciolaria
distans from its congener F. tulipa (Linne).

Chapter VIII. Of Buccina whose Spirae are long and muricated

Sloane No.

1594. Strombus gigas Linne.

Species I, page 247-248.

Buccinum bilingue maximum, labro maxime patente purpureo, clavicula muricata.
List Hist. Conch., Tab. 863, depict . . . Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 189,
No. 1.

This is one of the largest Shells, very weighty and ponderous . . . The
inside is extremely well polish'd and of a fine scarlet colour, and is made into
Buttons being set in Gold or Silver . . .

I had it from Jamaica. It is also found near Cartagena, in America, and in
great plenty on the Shores of the Leeward Part of Barbados, where they are eaten
and taste like tripe. They likewise there make Lime of them.

Species II. Idem minus.

This is perhaps not differing but only the younger ones of the former. It is
not striated nor of so fine a red Colour within, but otherwise the same. I had it
with the former.

It appears from Sloane's description that the shell figured by Lister was
in his own collection, but no fully-grown specimens bearing a catalogue
number have yet been located, only a young one, bearing a particularly
clear number and obviously belonging to his " Idem minus " quoted above.

1594. Strombus gigas Linne. Juvenile. fig. 43.

Species III, page 248.

Buccinum ampullaceum striatum, clavicula muricata, apertura leviter purpurascente.
List Hist. Conch., Tab. 886, fig. 7 ... 887, fig. 8, & 888, fig. 9. Murex Jamai-
censis, fasciata, nodosa. Pet. Cat., p. 579. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 189, No. 6.
Marbled Jamaica Murex with Knotty Twirls. Gaz. Nat., Tab. 74, No. 1.

The Sloane and Petiver specimens described above are both early growth
stages of the previous species ; the marbled pattern frequently persists until
the formation of the large spines, eventually becoming covered up by the
succeeding whorls. All three of Lister's figures quoted above are various
early stages of S. gigas, and apparently regarded by him as fully grown shells.

The fact that Sloane catalogued the marbled form under the same number
as the later stages indicates that he suspected that they were all one and the
same species.

32 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No.

1 130. Cerithium (Rhinoclavis) articulatum Adams & Reeve.

Species IV, page 248. fig. 40.

Buccinum recurvirostrum, claviculatum, striatum d>> asperum. List Hist. Conch.,
Tab. 1018, fig. 80.

This is about an inch long, half an Inch in Diameter near the mouth, where it
taper 'd to the End. It hath a round Mouth, in one Corner of which is a crooked
Bill or Rostrum . . . J found it on the Shores in Jamaica.
1578. Lathyrus (Leucozonia) cingulijera (Lamarck).

Buccinum rostratum, dentatum, fuscum, spiris nodosis. List Hist. Conch., Tab.
828, No. 50. Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 158, No. 32.

This is about an Inch long . . . The Spirae are brown, striated, and have
Nodi, or blunt Apices the Length and Duct of their Course . . . The mouth
is narrow and tooth'd. It is sometimes twice as large.
I had it from Jamaica, Barbados and St. Christophers.

There are two specimens of this species in the collection, one of which
is the shell figured by Lister on Tab. 828 of the " Historia."
3891. Murex (Muricantha) imperialis Swainson.
Species IX, page 250.
Buccinum rostratum, labro duplicato, longius, striis latis & eminentibus distinctum,
sinuosum. List Hist. Conch., Tab. mut., 944 depict.

This is about three Inches long, two broad in the Middle . . . and as high.
'Tis all over of a whitish colour, and thick set with extant Ridges, and between
them deep furrows running the length of the Volutae.
I found this shell on the Shore of Jamaica.

Sloane appears to have been mistaken in his measurements, for the original
shell described above is somewhat larger than stated, and still further en-
larged in Lister's figure, but there is no doubt that it is the actual specimen
used, Sloane's own abbreviations, " mut " and " depict " indicating that
the shell had been lent for drawing.
192. Melongena tnelongena (Linne).
Species XIV, page 251.
Buccinum ampullaceum fasciatum, muricatum, labro patentiore. List Hist. Conch.,
Tab. 904. No. 24 ... Murex Jamaicensis multiformiter spinosus. Pet. Mem.
Cur., anno 1708, p. 189.

This is about three Inches long, about two broad and as high. 'Tis of a whitish
colour, and hath many large brown Belts or Fasciae upon the first Circumvolution,
which marks the greatest Part of the Shell, and is set with Rows of very large
sharp Prickles . . .

I found them plentifully on the Shores of Jamaica.

In the latter part of his long description Sloane mentions that he obtained
specimens of all sizes and colourings, with and without spines. The shell
recovered from this series is a large, white specimen, mentioned as such
in the catalogue.
200-204/226, 227. Murex (Chicoreus) ramosus Linne.
Species XV, page 251-252.
Purpura sive Murex Pelagius marmoreus. Fab. Col. p. lx. Buccinum rostratum
triplici ordine Muricum canaliculatorum horridum. List Hist. Conch., Tab. 946,

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 33

No. 41. Murex Americanos valde rugosus. Pet. Mem. Cur., anno 1708, p. 190,
No. 8.

This is about four Inches long, very near three broad and high . . . The
whole shell is white within and smooth. The mouth is sinuated, over which
hollows are Prickles or Murices, with many of which there seems to have been
no communication with the Fish in the Shell. The whole shell is of a reddish
brown colour, and striated spirally. They are sometimes milk white, which
may come from the loss of their outward skin, by polishing or accidents.

They are found of several Magnitudes on the Shores of Jamaica and I have
had them from Nieves.

Several species of Murex were included under the catalogue numbers
quoted above, thought by Sloane to be only variations of the same species
from different localities. This error in identification was quite pardonable,
for the species grouped together under the several numbers are even now
difficult to separate, owing to their inconstancy of colour and formation of
the spines.

Murex calcitrapa Lamarck and M. sinensis Reeve are both included in the
series of specimens recovered, ranging, as stated by Sloane, from milk-white
to a reddish-brown.

Chapter X. Of Bivalv'd Shells
Sloane No.

1419. Chama macerophylla Gmelin. fig. 47.

Species III, page 255.

Spondylus minor subrubra, tenuis, imbricatus, apice distorto, cavitate interiore auri-
culam referens. Tab. 241, fig. 4, 5, 6, 7.

The greater Valve of this Shell was about an Inch diameter, had an Apex very
much distorted . . . The outward side of the shell was cover'd with extant
Scales and hollow Apices of a reddish white colour. The smaller Valve was almost
flat, and in the inside, resembled a human Ear . . .

I found it on the Shores of Jamaica.

Only a single upper valve of this species has been recovered, but it bears
a remarkably clear number, written on the shell in ink that has scarcely
faded since it was applied nearly two-hundred-and-fifty years ago.

1344. Area (Scapharca) trapezia Deshayes.

Species VIII, page 257.

Pectunculus major, polyginglymus, hirsutus. Tab. 241, fig. 14, 15, 16. List Hist.
Conch., Tab. 236, No. 70. An idem Tab. mut. 232, No. 66, depict.

This is a very large Cockle, about three Inches longways, and near as much
in Breadth, the two valves are about two Inches in depth . . . The shell is
join'd at the Hinge for about two Inches in Length by numerous small Teeth
and Cavities. It is on the outside all cover'd over with a brown Membrane thick
set with short Bristles or strong Hairs.

I found it in the Sea adjoining Jamaica where it is used for Food.

At the end of the Introduction to the second volume of the Natural History of
Jamaica, the author included some miscellaneous plates, following on consecutively
from a similar series at the end of the Introduction to the first volume. Plate XI
of volume two was devoted to illustrations of certain gastropod shells sent to him

HIST. I. I. 3

34 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

from the Straits of Magellan, quite neatly engraved, but in all cases reversed, a
fault that also occurs in the two plates of shells described in Book III of this second
volume. It is curious that Sloane should have allowed this to happen, particularly
in view of his long acquaintance with Lister's Historia Conchyliorum, a work in
which such a mistake never occurs, the only sinistral shells figured being those that
are naturally reversed, as in certain species of Busy con and Amphidromus.

A companion shell to figure 3 on introductory plate XI has been recovered,
considerably larger than the figure, but having the same black periostracum,
characteristic of the species, and the same white patches due to incrustation by a
Polyzoan. Sloane does not mention the donor of these Magellan shells, but they
were probably sent by Mr. Handisyd, whose name appears more than once in the
relative catalogue entries.

Sloane No.

2931. Voluta (Cymbiola) ancilla (Solander).

Volume II, page viii, plate XI, figure 3.

Buccinum angustum laeve utrinque productius, dentatum ore patulo, foris nigricans,

intus lutescens. E. Freto Magellanico.

The descriptions of the shells on Plate XI were engraved under the figures, and
only mentioned collectively in the text.

Section IV

Several Localized Series of Shells collected
between 1690 and 1726

This section includes series of shells, collated and published for the first time,
collected by Dr. Engelbert Kaempfer 1690-92, William Dampier 1708-11, Mark
Catesby 1722-26, and by several less-known, but enthusiastic donors to the
collection from 1698 to 1726.

Kaempfer's shells were all catalogued by Sloane as from Japan, but some were
obviously collected en route. Kaempfer gave a general account of the shells of
Japan on pages 139-141 of his History of that country, published in 1727, in which
he recorded the Japanese names and the use made of them for food and cultural
purposes.

The precise localities of Dampier's shells were not recorded in the Sloane cata-
logues, but from Woodes Roger's account, the Duke and Duchess, the two vessels
taking part in the voyage, called at many places where these specimens could have
have been obtained. A few of the numerous shells collected by Mark Catesby
during his visit to the Bahamas and Carolina from 1722-1726 have been recovered
and listed here for the first time. Catesby dealt only briefly with the shells in his
Natural History of Carolina, confining himself to a short account of shore collecting
and the description of only four species, two terrestrial and two marine, identified

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 35

from Lister's Historia, a work to which he felt he could add little that was new,
and it was probably for this reason that he figured none of these shells in his own
work. The first volume of this appeared in 1731, and the second in 1743, both
profusely illustrated with fine colour plates of birds, mammals, fishes and plants.

No doubt Catesby's book had its full share of the errors prevailing at the time,
but it seems unjust that a modern author (Peattie, 1937) should regard it as
" medieval, credulous and slipshod " when comparing it with the much later work
of the American ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, for Catesby's first volume was
published at least thirty-five years before Wilson's birth, and at least sixty years
before that melancholy but gifted artist arrived in America.

The less-known donors of shells during the period dealt with in this section, were
mostly surgeons or sea captains associated with the East India Company, who
contributed in no small degree to these early records from little-known quarters of
the Globe.

In the following lists the same catalogue numbers will be seen to be attached to
specimens collected by different people at different periods of time, a direct result
of Sloane's method of multiple entries, but it is usually possible to judge the approxi-
mate date of the acquisition of a particular specimen by its position in the series
entered under the one number, such apparently ingenuous remarks as " the same
as the last only larger. P." being of great service when endeavouring to arrange
specimens of the same species in date order.

For the sake of brevity sub-genera and sections have been omitted from the follow-
ing lists.

Section IV (a). — Specimens from North European Waters

Sloane No.

1845. Neptunea ties pectus (Linne).

Three fine specimens of this species are in the collection, referred in the
catalogue to Lister's plate 1057, dedicated to Dr. Witzen, and giving the
locality " Maris Caspis," and it is safe to assume that the specimens may-
have been received by Sloane from Dr. Witzen via Lister.

1005. Buccinum undatutn Linne.

Coasts of England and Ireland.

2447. Ocinebra erinacea (Linne).

Coast of England.

" Taken from the gizzard of a grey Sea plover. L."

The letter " L " following the entry probably indicates that the specimen
was given to Sloane by Dr. Lister.

752. Trochus (Gibbula) magus (Linne).
Coast of England & Nova Zembla.

Ex Mari Adriatico & littoribus Ins. Corsicae. Whirl snail from Ireland.
(Sloane catalogue entry.)

36 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Section IV (b). — Specimens from the Mediterranean

Sloane No. Shane No.

748. P. Natica hebraea (Martyn). 1016. Patella ferruginea Gmelin.

Mediterranean. Mediterranean.

749. Natica josephinae Risso. 2121. Patella jerruginea Gmelin.

Sicily. Sent by Phillipo Buo- Gibralter and Palma. Mr. D.

nanni. Frost.

1089. Astraea rugosa (Linne). 2387. Cerithium vulgatum Bruguiere.

Gibralter and Tangier. Mediterranean.

2905. Bursa gigantea (Lamarck).
Mediterranean .

The following four specimens were sent by Mr. John Salvador
Apothecary at Barcelona :

Sloane No. Sloane No.

164. Panopea glycimeris (Born). 195. Murex brandaris Linne.

i486. Natica turtoni Smith. 1844. Murex trunculus Linne.

Section IV (c). — Specimens from the South Atlantic
Sloane No. Sloane No.

641. Haliotis midae Linne. 1438. Dorcasia globulus (Midler).

Cape of Good Hope. Dr. Stewart. Cape of Good Hope. Dr. Her-

mann.

1025. Haliotis rosaceus Reeve. 216. Conus prometheus Linn6.

Africa. Mr. Skeen. Cape Lopez. Sir Thomas Bond.

Guinea. Dr. Shaphorst.

Shells sent from the Straits of Magellan by Mr. Handisyd.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

2927. Fissurella picta (Gmelin). 1385. Area grandis Broderip & Sowerby.

2920. Mytilus chorus Molina.

This specimen of Mytilus which has been polished and the edge
sharpened, was stated by Sloane to be used by the natives of Magellan
as a razor.

Section IV (d). — Specimens from the Caribbean

Shells sent to James Petiver by Mrs. Newport
from Barbados.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

1561. Melon genu morio (Linne). 1561. Fa sciolaria aurantiaca Lamarck.

1841. Cymatium clavator (Lamarck). 1841. Cymatium cynocephalus

(Lamarck).

1454. Voluta musica Linne. 1654. Ostrea pons Linne.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

37

Sloane No.

1344. Area trapezia Deshayes.
Jamaica. Mr. Carter.

2816. Strombus tricornis Lamarck.
West Indies.

Sloane No.

1348. Area rufescens Reeve.
West Indies.

(Described by Petiver in the

Pterographia Americana, 1712.)

Specimens collected by Mark Catesby in Carolina and
the Bahama Islands 1722 to 1726.

Sloane No.

1443. Astraea imbricata (Gmelin).
748. Natica canrena (Linne).
2815. Murex pomum Linne.
1482. Fasciolaria tulipa (Linne).

Sloane No.

1443. Astraea longispina (Linne).

1487. Cymatium pileare (Lamarck).

1 182. Trochus pica (Linn6).

1894. Busy con canaliculata (Gmelin).

With the exception of the Busycon the above were all
from the Bahamas.

Section IV (e). — Specimens from the Indian Ocean

Shells collected at Fort St.
of the East India

Sloane No.

209. Turbo marmoratus Linn6.

1296. Natica lineata (Linn£).

1 1 13. Turritella terebra (Linne).
1252. Solarium laevigata Lamarck.

1 1 14. Turritella duplicata (Linne).
3342. Conus millipunctata Linne.
1467. Conus figulinus Linne.

1467. Conus

George (Madras) by Mr. Fawcett
Company Circa 1705.

Sloane No.

1 1 19. Rostellaria curvirostris Lamarck.

Cymatium femorale (Linne).

Cymatium canaliferus (Lamarck).

Murex trunculus Linne.

Terebra muscaria Lamarck.

Melongena morio Linne.

Xancus pyrum (Linn6).

197-
1841.

1579-
1119.
1561.
3849.

eburneus Bruguere.

Madras shells sent by Rev. Dr. George Lewis
and Mr. Eden circa 1705.

Sloane No.

2827. Murex adustus Linne.

1499. Strombus aurisdianae Lamarck.

Sloane No.

2832. Nucella coronata (Lamarck).

3830. Conus Stercomuscarum Linne.

Shells sent by Dr. Waldo from Surat.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

1281. Voluta vespertilio Linne. 1294. Murex microphyllus Lamarck.

2846. Bursa rana Linne\ 3696. Natica lineata Lamarck.

186. Pterocera rugosa Sowerby. 1333. Tridacna crocea Lamarck,

38 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Miscellaneous Indian Ocean Specimens.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

1497. Monodonta labio (Linne). 1927. Turbo petholata Linne\

Bombay. Pegu (L. Burma.)

1898. Terebralia palustris (Linne). 1585. Turbo petholata Linne.

Mauritius. Java. Sir Thomas Bond.

1415. Tridacna imbricata Roding. 1669. Glycimeris pectunculus Linne.

Malacca. Capt. Hill. Bengal.

Specimens Collected by William Dampier during his
Second Circumnavigation 1708 to 171 1.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

1 63 1. Ellobium aurismidae (Linn6). ^S 8 - Conus miles Linn6.

1516. Natica vitellus Lamarck. 1609. Conus magus Linne\

291. Tridacna imbricata Roding.

Section IV (/). — Specimens from the Indo-Pacific
Shells brought by Captain Goslin from China.

Sloane No. Sloane No.

1797. Cymbium tesselata (Lamarck). 3924. Cassis strigata Gmelin.

587. Turbo intercostalis Menke. i486. Natica Chinensis Lamarck.
1521. Cassis recurvirostrum Wood. 53. Distortrix cancellina (Linn£).

From an Unknown Donor in Siam.
Sloane No. Sloane No.

1 1 32. Vertagus Asperum (Linn6). J 743- Sinum concavus Lamarck.

2275. Pterocera rugosa Sowerby. 1244. Delphinula laciniata Lamarck.

1246. Astraea latispina (Phillipi). 1183. Trochus maculatus Linne.

Miscellaneous Indo-Pacific specimens.
Sloane No. Sloane No.

1457. Conus striatus Linne. 2845. Bursa rana Linne.

Borneo. Borneo.

1456. Voluta vespertilio Linne. 1463. Conus Pennaceus Born.

Luzon. Mus. Pet. Cat. 247. Philippines. Father Camelli.

Sloane No.

161 1. Terebellum subulatum Lamarck.

1612. Ditto Ditto variety.
" The speckled augur shell."

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Specimens Collected by Dr. Engelbert Kaempfer
during his Voyage to Japan from 1690 to 1692.

39

Sloane No.

1244. Angaria atratus (Reeve).

15 16. Natica vitellus Lamarck.

1 5 18. Polynices mamilla (Linn6).

749. Natica Didyma (Roding).

1 1 13. Turritella terebra (Linn6).

1487. Cymatium pileare (Lamarck).

Japanese Species.

Sloane No.

385. Murex haustellum Lamarck.

983. Murex tenuispina Lamarck.

150. Cassis glauca Linne.

1 1 16. Terebra maculata Lamarck.

2235. Conus capitaneus Linn6.

3845. Cymbium aethiopicum (Linn6).

4029. Solenotellina violacea (Lamarck).

Indo-Pacific Species Collected en route.
Sloane No. Sloane No.

1813. Vertagus martinianus Pfeiffer. 11 13. Turritella duplicata (Linn6) .

1 801. Strombus epidromis (Linne). 983. Murex trapa Roding.

1807. Lathyrus infundibulum (Lamarck). 3847. Xancus rapa (Lamarck).

2786. Conus arenatus Bruguere.

Shells sent by Dr. James Cunningham from China
between the Years 1698 and 1705 (-8).

Pulo Condore.
Sloane No.

1 1 13. Turritella terebra (Linne).

985. Murex haustellum Lamarck.

983. Murex trapa Roding.

234. Turbo sparverius Linne.

234. Turbo argyrostoma Linn6

Chusan.
Sloane No.
200. Murex calcitrapa Lamarck.
Murex sinensis Reeve.
Turbo cornutus Linne.
Turbo radiatus Linne.
Galeodes galeodes (Lamarck) .

200.
5191-
5*91.
2303-

Several of these species are duplicated in the collection, for Cunningham sent
parcels to Sloane and Petiver, perhaps by different routes, in order to make sure
that at least one arrived safely in England. His last letter, addressed jointly to
them both, was received in 1708, but the sender failed to return to this country,
and is presumed to have been killed or drowned at sea without trace.

Section V

This section is devoted to Sloane specimens figured and described by various
authors from 1778 to 1849, anc * includes five original type-specimens. It is unfor-
tunate that some of the Sloane numbers are missing, but the specimens are quite
authentic and agree with the figures and descriptions cited.

4Q THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Sloane No. Holotype.

886—887. Unio (Cristaria) plicatus (Leach). B.M. 1952.5. 10.1.

[China.]

W. E. Leach, Zoological Miscellancy, vol. 1, p. 120, Tab. 53, 1814.
Original description :

Dipsas Plicatus. fig. 50.

Habitat—? Mus. Brit.

Folded Dipsas.

" Shell greenish-luteous, internally pearly and irridescent, unequally
winged ; the lower wing longitudinally, and the umbo transversely folded.

The specimen from which the annexed figure was taken has fourteen
pearls adhering to it, and is preserved in the British Museum ; it formed part
of the collection of Sir Hans Sloane ; and is enumerated in the catalogue
as a " Bohemian river horse-mussel, with pearls sticking to the shell."

In the museum there are several fragments of the same species, with groups
of pearls attached to them."

On the previous page of the Zoological Miscellany (p. 119) Dr. Leach proposed the
name Dipsas as a new genus, for the reception of his new species, a name sub-
sequently found by authors to have been used by J. N. Laurenti in 1768 for a genus
of reptiles.

When describing his new species Leach did not quote a Sloane catalogue number,
and its absence leads to the conclusion that he may have taken his alleged catalogue
entry from elsewhere. Two items having pearls attached were entered by Sloane
under consecutive numbers, viz., No. 886, " A pearl muscle with 4 pearls in it,"
and No. 887, " A pearl muscle with 8 pearls in it." The two valves originally had
fourteen " culture " pearls attached to them, six in the right valve and eight in the
left, of which two are now missing from each valve, prominent scars showing their
former position. The right valve, now believed to be Sloane No. 887, was figured
by J. and A. van Rymsdyk in the Museum Britannicum (Tab. II, fig. 6) as far back
as 1778, showing a cluster of six pearls, the two scars in the excellent engraving
indicating that two pearls had been removed, or become otherwise detached, during
the fifty or more years after being catalogued by Sloane. Dr. Leach quotes the
precise words used by the authors of the Museum Britannicum in their description
of the specimen figured (p. 5), and it is possible that he took this as valid, thus
avoiding a tedious search of the Sloane catalogues for a more appropriate entry;
the locality " Bohemia " is particularly unsuitable for this Asiatic species.

Sloane himself gave no locality for either of these two entries, but this need cause
little concern, for it is now well known that he frequently received specimens from
China, where C. plicatus has been used over a long period for the production of
" culture " pearls for commercial and religious purposes (Jackson, p. 104 et seq.).

Measurements of holotype : Length, 170 mm. ; height, including wing, 120 mm. ; thickness,
55 mm.

Recorded localities : China (Fischer, 1887). Japan (Hirase, 1934).

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 41

The fragments of C. plicatus with groups of pearls attached to them, mentioned
by Leach in his last paragraph, are still in existence.

Sloane No. ? Voluta (Cymbiola) subnodosa Leach. Holotype.

Straits of Magellan. B.M. 1952.5.10.2.

W. E. Leach, Zoological Miscellany, vol. i, p. 24, Tab. VIII, 1814.
Original description :

Voluta subnodosa

In Mus. Britannico, et Dom. Bullock.
SLIGHTLY-KNOTTED VOLUTE.

Shell luteous, inclining to fulvous, slightly striated, irregularly streaked
with rust colour ; spire much produced, and simple ; body volution towards
the apex, with a few slightly elevated knots.

The habitat of this very beautiful shell is not known. There is a specimen
in the collection of Mr. Bullock, which he most kindly lent me for examina-
tion, and another in the British Museum.

In the absence of a Sloane number, this shell can only be surmised to have come to
him from the Straits of Magellan, but the fact that it is the actual specimen described
by Leach is substantiated by the statement that he knew of only two specimens,
and it is only natural that he should choose the museum example for illustration
and description. The specimen agrees quite wellwith Nodder's figure and may
safely be regarded as the holotype of the Voluta subnodosa Leach, even though it
should later prove to be from a collection other than Sloane.

Measurements of holotype : Length, 120 mm. ; width, at widest part, 63 mm. ; Aperture,
from columellar to outer lip, 30 mm.

Recorded localities: Magellan Straits (Sowerby 1847). Argentine Coast; Falkland Is.;
Tierra del Fuego. (Maxwell Smith 1942.)

Sloane No. ?

S trombus pugilis Linne\

W. E. Leach, Zoological Miscellany, vol. i, p. 52, Tab. XXII, 1814.

Original description :

Strombus Sloanii Holotype.

Habitat— ? Mus. Brit. B.M. 1952.5.10.3.

SLOANE'S STROMBUS.

Basal whorl smooth ; base with longitudinal undulating grooves ; apex
with elevated, compressed, quadrate processes ; superior volutions knotted,
longitudinally lineated, the lines elevated.

This shell has been considered as an accidental variety of Strombus
pugilis ; but the distinctions between them are so strong, that I cannot accede
to the opinion, although it is entertained by some eminent conchologists.
The processes on the apex of the first volution, are for the most part marked
beneath with a deeply-impressed groove, and those situated nearest the base,
are slightly hollowed on the inner side of the shell.

42 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

This shell, figured by Lister in 1688, has already been mentioned in the first
section of this catalogue, from which it will be seen that Linne had already referred
this actual shell to his Strombus pugilis by quoting Lister's figure. Leach does not
seem to have been aware of this, otherwise he would not perhaps have been so
obtuse as to describe an acknowledged monstrosity as a new species. Dillwyn
(1817) considered that a single immature specimen was insufficient for the creation
of a new species, and Hanley (1855), who was aware of the existence of this specimen,
condemned the designation as erroneous.

Sloane No. ?

Murex (Homalocantha) rota Mawe.

J. and A. van Rymsdyk, Museum Britannicum, plate xxvii, fig. 2, p. 70 (2),
1778.

This immature specimen was figured by Lister in 1688 (Tab. 906, fig. 25) without
any description, and appears to have been regarded as a rare specimen ninety years
later, when it was described in the above work as " one of the most elegant of shells " ;
the description goes on to say that " the body of the shell is white, of an ash-colour,
and the protuberances are of a brownish black, either all over, or at least at the
extremity. I copied Nature as I saw it, and I am sorry my shell has none of this
black, owing to these shells being frequently bleached." The author need not have
been distressed by the absence of colour in his shell, for the brownish black mentioned
is a feature of Murex scorpio Linne, to which the typically and constantly white
M. rota is closely allied, but sufficiently characteristic to be separated.

The figure given in the above quoted plate is not at first recognizable as the
Sloane shell ; the engraver has fallen into the usual trap and forgotten to reverse
the drawing, and has made the shading far too heavy for a perfectly white shell.
These are serious faults for artists of whom it was said in the preface to the book,
" every Nerve has been stretched to shew their Talents and good judgement."

Shane No.

2931. Valuta (Cymbiola) ancilla Solander.

W. Wood, Index Testaceologicus, Supplement, p. 10, pi. 3, f. 2, 1828 (Voluta

gracilis) .

Although Wood's figure is so small, it is unmistakably the Sloane specimen, by
reason of a fault in the shell causing a pale band to appear round the upper part of
the body whorl, which has been faithfully indicated in the figure. The specimen,
although lacking the Sloane number, bears a small label believed to be in William
Courten's hand, and similar to that found attached to the specimen of Busycon
pyrum recorded in Section I of this catalogue. Wood states the locality to be
unknown, but the species had already been correctly recorded from the Straits of
Magellan by Sloane in 1725 (see Section III, Sloane No. 2931).

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

43

Shane No.

2566. Solen sloanii Hanley. Holotype.

Pegu, Lower Burma. B.M. 1952.5.13.1.

J. E. Gray in S. Hanley Illustrated Edition of Lamarck's Shells (1), p. 21
pi. 1, fig. 59, 1842.

Original description :

Gray in Brit. Mus. Linear, straight, narrow, fragile, pellucid, rather
broader and obtusely rounded anteriorly spotted with tawny brown ; a sharp
prominent tooth in one valve, the vestiges of one in the other. J ... 3.

Hanley states that the name adopted for this shell was a manuscript one, found
on the tablet in the British Museum, and attributed to J. E. Gray. The above work
was abandoned in its intended form after 1842, and rearranged as an Appendix
to Wood's Index Testaceologicus, the plates and figures being re-numbered to form a
sequence to the eight supplementary plates of that work. Solen sloanii becomes
fig. 18 on plate 11 of the Appendix, which finally appeared in 1856 with the title of
An Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Bivalve Shells.

Measurements of Holotype : Length, 70 mm. ; height, 12 mm. ; thickness, 8 mm.

The locality " Pegu " is that recorded for the specimen in the Sloane catalogue
entry No. 2566.

Sloane No. ?

Ommastrephes sloanii Gray. Syntype.

B.M. 1952.5. 10.5.

J. E. Gray, Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum.
Part 1 : Cephalopoda antepedia, p. 61 (5), 1849.

This specimen is recorded with some misgiving, for in his original description
Gray mentions two specimens, which he lists as a. and b.? respectively:

a. New Zealand, Waitemata. Small. In spirits. Presented by Dr.

Sinclair, M.D.
b.? Var.? In spirits, adult. Mus. Sloane. Fin nearly half the length

of the body. Cycria Leach, MS. 1817.
c. Shell of b. broken, dry; taken out by Dr. Leach.
The soft parts of neither a. nor b. have yet been recognized from the several
unlocalized and dissected Ommastrephids among the older spirit specimens, and
in view of Gray's own doubts on the matter, it is advisable to merely record the
existence of this fragmentary syntype.

Sloane No. ?

Sepioteuthis sloanii Gray. Syntype.

West Indies. B.M. 1952.5.10.4 a.b.

J. E. Gray, Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum,
Part 1 : Cephalopoda antepedia, pp. 81-82 (7), 1849.

44 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

This specimen (originally described by Dr. Leach as Loligo Sloanii, in manuscript
1 817) is far more satisfactory than the preceding, for the practically undamaged
gladius and complete soft parts are both in existence, and agree with the description
published by Gray.

Again two specimens were chosen for description, listed by Gray as follows :

a. Honduras. In spirits.

b. The shell of a. c. Loc? In spirits. Mus. Sloane.
d. Shell of c, dry. Taken out by Dr. Leach.

Sepioteuthis sloanii Gray, as already noted, is now considered by authors to be
synonymous with the endemic Carribean species 5. sepioidea Blainville, the type-
species of his genus Sepioteuthis, described in 1824.

Measurements of dry gladius : Length, 100 mm. ; width at the widest part, 12 mm.

There is little doubt that there are other Sloane specimens still to be found among
the older spirit material, but changing of spirit and replacement or loss of original
labels makes identification extremely difficult.

3. SUMMARY

During 1950 to 1952 over four hundred specimens, forming part of the Sloane
Shell Collection, have been rediscovered in the mollusca collections of the British
Museum (Natural History).

Forty shells are the original specimens figured and described by Martin Lister in
the Historia Conchyliorum, published between 1685 and i692-(7).

Thirteen shells are the originals figured and described by James Petiver in the
Gazophylacium Naturae (1702-1709), by whom twenty-six others in the collection
were described in the Memoirs for the Curious (1707-1709) and the Philosophical
Transactions 1698 to 1712.

Five specimens were among those brought back by William Dampier from the
voyage round the world in 1708-11, and given by him to Sir Hans Sloane.

Twenty-five specimens are those described by Sir Hans Sloane in his Natural
History of Jamaica (1725), brought back by him from that Island in 1689.

A number of Lister's and Petiver's figured specimens now extant were referred
to by Linne (1758 and 1767) Born (1778), Gmelin (1790) and Lamarck (1819-22)
in their respective synonymies.

Three specimens are the originals figured by J. and A. van Rymsdyk in the
Museum Britannicum (1778).

Five are holotypes described by W. E. Leach (1814-17) and J. E. Gray (1849).

Sloane specimens have also been referred to or figured by E. M. da Costa (1771) ;
J. G. Children (1823-5); W. Wood (1828); and J. E. Gray (1834).

Several of the original drawings made by Susanna and Anna Lister for the Historia
Conchyliorum have been photographed and reproduced for comparison with the
actual specimens and final engravings.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION 45

4. REFERENCES

Alderson, E. G. 1924. Studies in Ampullar ia. xx + 99 pp. ; 19 pis. Cambridge. [Fifteen

copies only coloured.]
Born, I. von. 1778. Index Rerum Naturalium Musei Caesarei Vindobonensis. Pars. 1.

Testacea. xlii -f 458 [78J pp. ; 1 pi. Vindobonae.

1780. Testacea Musei Caesarei Vindobonensis. xxxvi + 442 [15] pp. ; 18 pis. Vin-
dobonae. fol.

British Museum (Natural History). 1906. The History of the Collections contained in the
Natural History Departments of the British Museum, 2 ; 782 pp. The Trustees : London.

1912. Ibid., 2 ; Appendix. 109 pp. London.

1 93 1. A Short History of the Collections. 62 pp. London.

1931- General Guide to the Exhibition Galleries. 249 pp ; 20 illus. London.

Buonanni, F. 1681. Ricreatione dell' occhio e della mente nell' osservation delle Chiocciole, etc.

4 parts, xiv + 384 [15] pp. ; 109 pis. ; Engr. titles. Roma. 4 .
Catesby, M. 1731-1743. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands ;
containing the figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects and Plants, etc. 2 vols.
London, fol.

1771. [Third edition.] Revised by Mr. [G.] Edwards. 2 vols. London, fol.

Children, J. G. 1822-1824. Lamarck's Genera of Shells. Quarterly Journal of Science,

Literature and the Arts (Philosophical Magazine), 14, 15, 16, 1822-23-24. 10 pis., 6 parts.
Costa, E. M. da. 1776. Elements of Conchology, or an Introduction to the Knowledge of Shells.
vi + 318 pp. ; 7 pis. London.

(& Humphreys, G.) 1771. Conchology or Natural History of Shells, etc. ii + 26 pp. ;

12 pis. (parts I-VI.) London. [All published.] fol.

Dampier, W. 1699 (1859). Account of . . . Observations ... on the Coast of New

Holland . . . being an extract from " A Voyage to New Holland." Hakluyt Society, 25

(1859) : 134-164.
Dillwyn, L. W. 1817. A Descriptive Catalogue of Recent Shells. 2 vols., xii + 1092 pp.

London.
Edwards, G. 1 758-1 764. Gleanings of Natural History. 3 parts, xxxv + vii + 347 pp. ;

151 pis. London. 4 .
Evelyn, J. The Diary of John Evelyn Esquire, F.R.S. Edited by William Bray, xx + 809

pp. London (Simpkin Marshall, n.d.).
Fox, H. 1919. Dr. John Fothergill and His Friends, xxiv + 434 pp. ; 13 pis. London.
Gmelin, J. F. 1790. C. a Linne . . . Sy sterna Naturae . . . Editio decima tertia . . .

cura J. F. Gmelin. 1788-93, 1 (6) : 3021-3910. Lipsiae.
Gray, J. E. 1849. Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British Museum. Parti:

Cephalopoda antepedia. viii 4- 164 pp. London.
Griffith, E., & Pidgeon, E. 1834. The Animal Kingdom ... by the Baron Cuvier, with

supplementary additions to each order. Vol. 12 : The Mollusca and Radiata. 601 pp. ;

60 pis. London.
Groye, M. de la. 1807. Memoire sur un nouveau genre de Coquille de la famille des Sole-

noides. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat., 9 : 131-139 ; 1 pi. Paris.
Gunther, R. W. T. 1925. Early Science in Oxford, 3 : 1. Biological Sciences. 2. Biological

Collections, xii + 564 pp. ; 64 pis., 73 text-figs. Oxford.

1928. Further Correspondence of John Ray. xxiv + 332 pp. ; 2 pis., 6 text-figs. London

(Ray Soc).

1945- Early Science in Oxford : 14, Life and Letters of Edward Lhwyd. xv -f- 576 pp. ;

5 pis., 43 text-figs. Oxford.

46 THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

Hanley, S. 1842-1846. An Illustrated, Enlarged, and English edition of Eamarck's Species

of Shells. 224 pp. ; 3 pis. London.
1855. Ipsa Linnaei Conchylia. The Shells of Linnaeus, determined from his manuscripts

and collection. . . . Also, an exact reprint of the Vermes Testacea of the " Sy sterna Naturae "

and " Mantissa." 556 pp. ; 6 pis. London.

1842-56. An Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Recent Bivalve Shells with 960

figures by Wood and Sowerby, forming an Appendix to the Index Testaceologicus. xviii + 392
pp. ; 24 pis. London.

Herrick, F. H. 1938. Audubon the Naturalist, edit. 2. xc + 500 pp. ; 114 pis. (Two vols.

in one.) New York & London.
Hind, A. M. 1922. Wenceslaus Hollar and his Views of London and Windsor in the Seventeenth

Century, xiv + 92 pp. ; 64 pis. and portrait. London.
Hwass, 1792. [in J. G. Bruguiere] Encyclopedic Methodique. Histoire Naturelle des Vers. Conus :

586-757.
Imperato, F. 1599. Dell' Historia Naturale, etc. xxiv + 791 pp. ; 1 pi., text figs. Napoli.

fol.
Jackson, J. W. 1917. Shells as evidence of the migrations of early culture. Pub. Univ.

Manchester, 112. xxviii + 216 pp. ; 13 text-figs.
Johnston, G. 1850. An Introduction to Conchology, etc. xvi -f 614 pp. ; 102 text-figs.

London.
Kaempfer, E. 1727. The History of Japan. . . . translated by J. G. Scheuchzer, etc.

[x] lii, [iv], 612, 75, 11 pp. ; 45 pis. London, fol.
Knorr, W. 1 760-1 773. Les delices des yeux et de V esprit, ou collection generate ... de

Coquillages, etc. 3 vols, illust. col. Nurnberg. 4 .
Lamarck, J. B. P. A. de M. de. 1815-1822. Histoire Naturelle des Animaux Sans Vertebres,

presentant les caracteres generaux et particuliers de ces Animaux, etc. 7 vols. (Mollusques,

vols. 5, 6, 7.) Paris.
Lankester, Edw. 1848. Correspondence of John Ray. xvi + 502 pp. ; 2 pis. London

(Ray Soc).
Leach, W. E. 18 14-18 17. The Zoological Miscellany ; being descriptions of new, or interesting

animals . . . illustrated with coloured figures by R. P. Nodder. 3 vols. London. 4 .
Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae . . . Editio decima, reformata. Tom. 1. 824 pp.

Holmiae.
Lister, M. 1685-1692(97). Historiae sive Synopsis methodicae Conchyliorum . . . liber

... S. et A. Lister fig ur as pin. 6 pt. [in 2 vols.] ; 1057 pis. Londini. fol.
(See also Catalogue of Library, Brit. Mus. {Nat. Hist.), 3, 1155.)

1770. Editio Altera. Recensuit ... G. Huddesford. iv + 6 (notes) + 7 (Exp. Ana-
tomical pis.) ; 108 1 pis. Oxonii. fol.

1694. Exercitatio Anatomica. In qua de Cochleis, maxime Terrestribus 6- Limacibus,

agitur. xi + 208 pp. ; 8 pis. Londini.

Macgillivrav, W. 1834. Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnaeus. 391 pp. ;

1 pi. Edinburgh. {Edinburgh Cabinet Library, 16.)
Maton, G., & Rackett, T. 1803. An historical account of Testaceological writers. Trans.

Linn. Soc. 7 : 119-244.
Muller, O. F. 1773-1774. Vermium Terrestrium et Fluviatilium . . . Historia, etc. 2 vols.

Havniae & Lipsiae. 4 .
Nicholson, H. A. 1886. Natural History, its rise and progress in Britain, etc. vi + 312 pp. ;

10 portraits, 7 text-figs. London & Edinburgh.
Petiver, J. 1 695-1 703. Musei Petiveriani, centuria prima {Secunda-decima) . Rariora

Naturae Continens. 93 [3] pp. ; 2 pis. London.

1696-1705. Philosophical Transactions. [Articles in vols. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24.]

1764. Gazophylacium, etc. 3 vols. London.

THE SLOANE SHELL COLLECTION

47

Petiver, J. 1712. Pteri-graphia Americana, icones continens . . . 3 pp. ; 20 pis. London.

1 707-1 709. The Monthly Miscellany ; or Memoirs for the Curious. Ed. by J. Petiver.

3 vols. London.

- 1710. (re-issue Jan. 1707-Dec. 1708, in 2 vols). London.

[For full list of Petiver's works see Catalogue of Library, British Museum (Nat. Hist.), 4 :

I557-8-]
Rogers, Woodes. 1712. A Voyage round the World ... in iy 08-11. [in] R. Kerr [etc.]

A General Collection of Voyages and Travels, etc., 1824, 10 : 337-388. London.
Rymsdyk, J., & A. van. 1778. Museum Britannicum, being an Exhibition of a Great Variety

of A ntiquities and Natural Curiosities, belonging to ... the British Museum, etc. xvi -f

84 ; 30 pis. London, fol.

I79i- Second edition, revised ... by P. Boyle. 2 [7], xvii + 88 pp. ; 30

pis. London, fol.

Scilla, A. 1759- De Corporibus Marinis Lapidescentibus . . . addita dissertatione F.

Columnae De Glossopetris. Editio Altera emendatior. viii + 82 pp. ; 32 pis. Romae. 4 .
Shaw, G. 1789-18 13. The Naturalist's Miscellany ; or Coloured Figures of Natural Objects ;

drawn and described . . . from Nature . . . the figures by F. P. N odder (and afterwards)

E. and R.P.N odder. 24 vols. Col. pis. London. 4 .
Sloane, H. 1 707-1 725. A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and

Jamaica, with the Natural History of the Herbs and Trees, Four-footed Beasts, Fishes, Birds,

Insects, Reptiles, &-c, of the last of those islands ... 2 vols. 285 pis. London, fol.
Swainson, W. 1834. A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural History. (Lardner's

Cabinet Cyclopaedia, vol. 59.) viii + 454 pp. ; Eng. title. London.

1840. Taxidermy ; with the biography of Zoologists, etc. (Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia,

vol. 126.) 392 pp. ; text-fig. Engr. title. London.

Thiele, J. 1931-1935. Handbuch der Systematischen Weichtierkuade. 2 Bde. vi + 778 ;

v + 779-1154 pp. illust. Jena.
Wilkins, G. L. 1952. The shell collections of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. ; with digressions upon

the books and people connected with them. /. Conch., 23 : 247-259 ; 2 pis.
Wood, W. 1828. Index Testaceologicus ', or a Catalogue of Shells British and Foreign . . .

Supplement, iv + 59 pp. ; 8 col. pis. (480 figs.). London.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks are due to Dr. H. W. Parker for extra facilities to carry out this work ; to
the Librarian of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, for permission to reproduce Martin
Lister's original drawings ; to Dr. A. J. Cain of the Department of Zoology and Com-
parative Anatomy, University Museum, Oxford, and his assistant Mr. J. Hull for
cordial help in the preliminary search for original Lister material in the University
Museum collections ; to Dr. W. J. Rees for his kindly advice and encouragement, and
to Sir Walter Gurner for elucidation of certain passages in the Latin preface to the
Historia Conchyliorum.

A particular word of thanks is due to Mr. J. V. Brown of the photographic staff of
the British Museum (Natural History) for his care in arranging the figured
Sloane shells in their original positions.

PRESENTED

6 JUN 1953

EXPLANATION OF PLATES
(With the exception of figure 50 all figures are actual size)

PLATE 1

Fig. 1. Inscription on the flyleaf of a copy of De Cochleis, forerunner of the Historia Conchy liorum,
and presented to Dr. Hans Sloane by Martin Lister on his departure for Jamaica in 1687. The inscrip-
tion is in Lister's holograph.

The inscription reads as follows:

" For his honoured Friend Dr. Hans. Sloane. M.L. He is desired to collect & transmitte
hither ye Land snails & such shells as shall be found in ye Fresh water rivers or ponds of Jamaica
which will verie much oblige his most humble servant — Martin Lister."

" Also to observe, whether there are any naked snails in Jamaica, I mean such as are naturallie
without shells at hand as with us."

Bull. B.M. [N.H.) History I, i

PLATE i

£m*c .

4

*£;■ ¥*+** **&%,

c^-jy/^ ^r-nfc^c. *rt»s^f \a, /*<-*/**?*,„</>

&~i

<&

is :*

; — inr

f ' : >'' s/ '. / /f . ■ -' • ' r J^ v -

Fig. i.

Inscription in Sloane's Copy of -De Coc/i/eis in Martin Lister's Holograph.

PLATE 2

Fig. 2. Part of a page of Volume One of Sloane Manuscript catalogue, showing method of multiple
entries under items 1481 and 1482. Note oblique lines separating each acquisition.
Fig. 3. Continuation of item 1482 from opposite (blank) page.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i PLATE 2

rtil

lr -&(. Li. y , c h A , . 5w fa_* ~

*Z' ve 7 y ' / i'* ,L ft®- n* 1 fa (*,, 7

UA -K . -moil «,*•»* «J- . i^a.o ,„£ J I -\ Ura ' «<■

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.
Entries from Sloane Manuscript Catalogue.

PLATE 3

Fig. 4. Original description of the shell now known as Acavus haemastoma (L) sub-species melano-
tragus (Born), in Lister's writing and attributed by him to the museum of Dr. van Mildret.

Fig. 5. Original drawings from the Radcliffe Historia.

Fig. 6. Final engravings made from these drawings by Susanna Lister.

Figs. 7 and 8. Actual specimens from the Sloane collection, probably ex. Courten (S. 1963).

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, I

PLATE 3

^cjiA^itu JXCi'frit' <x£/*^.e*— flutoxy/^. • /W/»>^/irv~ ** * \9f ^/Jk*^
* / OH .% ■ Un*^ MtU«*h . i

L U

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

43 cochlea, 'alts ct ivLartccwiUhtLS
jxncyt aonaia.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 6.

Acavus haemastomus. Original Drawings, Engravings and Specimens.

PLATE 4

Fig. 9. Ampullarius cornuarietis (L), Lister's original description; specimen attributed to the
museum of Dr. G. Curtein (Courten). Note the word " exotici " in the heading (footnote to p. 8
refers) .

Fig. 10. Original drawing from the Radcliffe Historia.

Fig. 11. Actual Sloane specimen (S. 1993).

Fig. 12. Final engraving by Susanna Lister. Historia Tab. 136.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i

PLATE 4

<7Z2/«i* 9^+kcf '■■ &&*i*A*t 6°»y^'-

r> x cm *T>'f* ( i*/** *. I

Fig. 9.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 11.

Jectio. J .

Cocnle u Jfluvi atilibus Comjpre£Ci s .

40

Fig. 12.
Ampullarius cornuarietis. Original Drawing, Specimen and Engraving.

PLATE 5

Fig. 13. Engraving of Turritella exoleta (L) by Susanna Lister, with engraved heading, specific
description and stock border. Note alteration to mouth of shell by Anna Lister.

Fig. 14. Original drawing of damaged shell from Bodleian collection.

Fig. 15. Sloane specimen 1108, selected as the figured specimen.

Fig. 16. Single valve of Chlamys squamosa (Gmelin) Sloane No. ?

Figs. 17 and 18. Original drawing and final engraving by Anna Lister. Historia Tab. 184.

Bull. B.M. {N.H.) History I, i

PLATE 5

Fig. 14.

Fig. 13.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 17.

Fig. 18.

Altered Engraving, Original Drawing and Sloane Specimen of Turritella exoleta.
(below) Sloane Specimen, Drawing and Engraving of Chlamys squamosa.

PLATE 6

Fig. 19. Lister's original heading for his Sec. 16, later altered to Sec. 1 of Liber III (Multivalvium),
and original drawing by Anna Lister, both from the Bodleian collection.
Fig. 20. Final engraving, with heading and specific description.
Fig. 21. Sloane specimen 745, Pholas orientalis Gmelin (damaged).

PLA : TE 6

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i.

rfW$W iXX ^.

Fig. 19.

Sectio 1 . cap.2.~bz
T\io\a.a3jjustr%uTnuci:ejta^rurrt Conchis,
c a* a truj) tcs Id en Its otubu.*d am. aUutv
b crfo rcUt* .

174 . p/iolas alius, Cirroct/}fas / ad a csritd msvt. fife dor~<ri Icctits

431

Fig. 20.

Fig. 21.

PLATE 7

Fig. 22. S.2243 Cypraea mauritiana L.

Fig. 23. S.1584 Natica fulminea (Gmelin).

Fig. 24. S.1578 Lathyrus cingulifera (Lamk.)

Fig. 25. S.2239 Conus janus Hwass.

Fig. 26. S.2276 Busycon pyrum (Dillwyn).

Fig. 27. S.2659 Turritella variegata (L.).

Fig. 28. S.i 797 Cymbium tesselata (Lamk.).

Fig. 29. S.1013 Patella granulans L.

Fig. 30. S.i 105 Capulus intortus Lamk.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i.

PLATE 7

4
\ I

\ * f

23

28

24

30

Sloane Specimens Figured by Martin Lister in the Historia Conchyliorum, 1685-92.

PLATE 8

Fig. 31. Voluta scapha Gmelin engraved by Anna Lister, Historia, Tab. 799.

Fig. 32. Original specimen from the Sloane collection. (Catalogue number not traced ;

Bull. B.M. (N-H.) History I, I.

PLATE 8

6. J§

t* CC is%4Jr>t^

Fig. 31.

y~m

/

\

V

V^^w

Fig. 32.

VrAuin cr.n-bh.fi. ANNA LISTER'S ENGRAVING AND SLOANE SPECIMEN.

PLATE 9

Fig. 33. Sloane specimen 3871 Rostellaria rectirostris Lamk.

Fig. 34. Original drawing from Bodleian collection.

Fig. 35. Final engraving by Susanna Lister. Historia, Tab. 854, sp. 11.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i.

PLATE 9

Fig. 33.

Fig. 34.

Fig. 35.
Original Specimen, Drawing and Susanna Lister's Engraving of Rostellaria rectirostris.

PLATE 10

Fig. 36. Fasciolaria distans Lamk., engraved by Anna Lister.

Fig. 37. Original drawing in the Bodleian collection.

Fig. 38. Sloane specimen 1481 ex. Courten " Bay of Campeche."
catalogue entry (Fig. 2).)

(See reproduction of Sloane

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, i.

PLATE 10

Fig. 36.

Fig. 37.

Fig. 38.

Fasciolaria distans. Final Engraving, Drawing and Original Specimen.

PLATE ii

Original specimens collected by Sir Hans Sloane in Jamaica.

Fig. 39. S.1983 Pleurodonte acuta (Lamk.) var. patina C. B. Adams.

Fig. 40. S.i 130 Cerithium articulatus Ad. & Reeve.

Fig. 41. S.i 695 Pleurodonte aspera (Ferussac).

Fig. 42. S.1531 Nerita polita L.

Fig. 43. S.1594 Strombus gigas L. (Juvenile).

Fig. 44. S. 752 Trochus magus (L.). (Probably introduced.)

Fig. 45. S. . . . ? Chiton granulatus (Gmelin).

Fig. 46. S.i 787 Conus coronacivica Roding.

Fig. 47. S.1419 Chama macerophylla Gmelin. (Single valve.)

Fig. 48. S. 177 Trochus pica (L.).

Fig. 49. S.1443 Astraea calcar (L.).

Bull. B.M. {N.H.) History I, i.

PLATE ii

Shells Collected by Sir Hans Sloane in Jamaica.

PLATE 12

Fig. 50. Sloane specimens 886- — 887. Cristaria plicatus (Leach) with culture pearls attached
to each valve. Holotype (reduced).

Bull. B M. {N.H.) History I, I.

PLATE 12

Fig. 50.
Cristaria plicatus (Lkach) Holotype Mus. Sloane. (Slightly Reduced.

PRESENTED

6 JUN 1953

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

|

i;

2 3 JAN 1954

C.

G.

G. J. VAN STEENIS,

M.

J-

VAN

STEENIS-KRUSEMAN

AND

C. A. BACKER

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. i No. 2

LONDON: 1954

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

BY

C. G. G. J. VAN STEENIS,
M. J. VAN STEENIS-KRUSEMAN

AND

C. A. BACKER

Pp. 49-68 ; PI. 13

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. 1 No. 2

LONDON: 1954

THE BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY), instituted in 1949, is
issued in five series corresponding to the Departments
of the Museum, and an Historical Series.

Parts appear at irregular intervals as they become
ready. Volumes will contain about three or four
hundred pages, and will not necessarily be completed
within one calendar year.

This paper is Vol. 1, No. 2 of the Historical
series.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Issued January, 1954. Price Six Shillings.

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

A PROMINENT BUT ILL-FATED EARLY
EXPLORER OF THE FLORA
OF JAVA, 1793-1798

By C. G. G. J. VAN STEENIS, M. J. VAN STEENIS-KRUSEMAN

and C. A. BACKER

1. INTRODUCTION

Though it is known that the Department of Botany of the British Museum (Natural
History) possesses a collection of plates and MSS. of Deschamps, no detailed account
based on these MSS. has hitherto been published. During a short stay in England
in November, 1946, my wife and I had the privilege of examining these plates and
MSS.

According to a letter dated 22nd December, 1936, from M. E. Deligny, librarian
of the Municipal Library of Saint Omer, France, to Dr. C. A. Backer, who had
asked for data concerning Deschamps for his volume on the etymology of Latin
plant names, 1 Louis Auguste Deschamps 2 was born at St. Omer on 22nd August,
1765. He completed the courses of the ancient medical Faculte de Douai on 22nd
July, 1788. He was later a member of the medical jury of the Pas de Calais and
physician in the hospital of St. Omer, where he died on 25th February, 1842. He
was very young when he began his scientific career, and his works were highly
appreciated by his contemporaries. In 1791 he was selected to serve as naturalist
on the fruitless expedition to Southern waters of the frigate "La Recherche" under
the command of A. R. J. Bruny D'Entrecasteaux, in search of the lost expedition
of J. F. De G. La Perouse in the " Boussole " and the " Astrolabe " (1785-88).

When " La Recherche " was seized in Java in 1793, Deschamps was for a short
time interned by the Dutch, but Governor Van Overstraten realized his abilities,
and generously allowed him to stay in Java and study natural history, for which
he obtained all facilities to extend his researches into the interior of the island.
Deschamps accepted, as he himself says, in the interest of science, and took leave
of his travelling companions. In the subsequent years he made numerous long
trips, and he certainly was the first to visit and make collections in many remote
regions, for he ascended dozens of then unknown mountains all over Java. It is

1 Verklarend Woordenboek, etc., 1936.

2 M. Deligny used as a source the Dictionnaire biographique du Departement du Pas de Calais 1879, by
Ad. de Cardevacque.

HIST, i, 2. 4§

52 LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

much regretted that apparently none of his botanical specimens has been preserved.
His diary, drawings and MS. papers suggest that what he prepared in the form of
botanical specimens was extremely valuable.

According to M. Deligny's letter, Deschamps returned to France in 1803, the ship
in which he was a passenger having been intercepted by the British Navy in the
English Channel. All his collections and papers the fruits of eleven years of research
were confiscated, and were apparently declared to be war booty. 1 This material
was deposited in India House. Later John Reeves bought the Deschamps MSS.,
with a collection of dried plants from Java, at a sale at India House and in 1861
presented the manuscript to the British Museum.

The plant specimens are apparently lost, and there is no evidence that they were
ever received at the British Museum. 2 The MSS. consist of his unpublished auto-
graph journals kept during the voyage and on subsequent travels in Java, with
materials for a flora of Java. 3 These MSS. and plates include water-colours of
Javanese scenery, of plants (including those of De Noronha or Norofia, which were
sent to him by Governor Van Overstraten) and of animals, as well as other notes
and memoranda. They are now all preserved in the Library of the Department of
Botany, British Museum (Natural History).

During part of his travels Deschamps was accompanied by some young Javanese
assistants who were to help him in collecting material and in preparing drawings
of plants and animals (he also collected fishes). Afterwards he settled in Java
as a physician until 1802, in which year he sailed for Mauritius, and subsequently
to France. On the point of reaching his motherland, as mentioned above, he lost
his treasures. Shortly afterwards according to the information given by M. Deligny
he was nominated first class physician in the hospitals of the Navy. The Annates
des Voyages de Malte Brun and the Memoir es de I'Academie d' Arras contain valuable
observations of Deschamps, who was as interested in natural history researches as
he was inclined to historical studies. In the Memoir es de la Societe des Antiquaires
de la Morinie, of which he was an honorary member, he published in vol. 1, " Dis-

1 It is clear, however, that efforts were made to restore the collections to Deschamps, and the following
extract from a letter dated 29th July, 1803, from Sir Joseph Banks to Barth&emy Faujas de St. Fond
[Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Banks Corr. 14, fol. 101] is of interest :

" Mr. Deschamps, the Companion of La Billiardiere on board L' Entrecasteaux ship arrived here,

a prisoner, as Broussonet will have informed you — I have great pleasure in telling you that, as

soon as our Government heard of the Capture, they gave order, that, if any part of the collection

should be deemed by the Captors too valuable to be abandoned on the part of their Crews, those

things should be purchased at the expense of Government, and returned gratis to M. Deschamps.

" I have had much trouble in collecting his Property together, owing to the absence of Captors,

and mistakes that have arisen between the Custom House of Portsmouth and London. At present

I hope I have got the whole safe in the Custom House of London, in which case it will be forwarded

by the first opportunity to Calais".

In another letter dated 30th January 1804, to Robert Ferguson [Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Banks Corr.

14, fol. 205] Banks says : " Will you be so good as to tell M. Deschamps who you will hear of at the

Jardin des Plantes that if our Flag of Truce goes from the Thames I will do my best to send his things

in it."

2 Cf. Journ. Bot. 41 : 282-283 (1903).

3 " Plantes trouv6es dans mon voyage de cette annee 1798 a Tjiseroa " (with drawings in pencil) ;
Genera et species nova recondita in meo itinere e Cheribon usque Batavia " (with drawings) ; " Flora
Javanica seu Descriptio plantarum quae reperiuntur in insula Java" ; "La flora javane ou description
des plantes qu'on trouve dans ITsle de Java " ; " Appercu de l'lsle de Java et de ses productions "
(several lists of plants).

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS 53

sertation sur le Sinus Itius," 1 vol. 2, " Relation du Sac de 1771," vol. 3, " Precis
historique sur Ardres," vol. 4, " Notice sur Malsaut, comtesse d'Artois."

The well-known grass genus Deschampsia, of world-wide distribution, was named
in his honour by Palisot de Beauvois in 1812.

2. ITINERARY OF DESCHAMPS'S TRAVELS IN JAVA

From a study of the neatly written, illustrated French MSS. and a diary Mrs.
Van Steenis has compiled the following itinerary of Deschamps :

The expedition of the " Recherche " anchored at Surabaja, East Java, Oct. 28,
1793, where the members were not exactly interned but not allowed to go far inland.
Deschamps used his time in studying the native language and the flora. With
the other members he was transferred to Semarang (Central Java) in March, 1794,
where Governor Van Overstraten made him the above-mentioned proposal. He
started collecting in the environs of Un(g)aran(g), in the meanwhile preparing for
an extensive excursion into the interior. Leaving Semarang (May 8, 1795) for
Salatiga, from there climbing Mt. Merbabu (Marababou in his diary) via Kopeng
(15), and returning to Salatiga ; setting out (29) to Bojolali ; Djokjakarta ; trip
to the south coast (hot spring and caves) ; stay at Djokjakarta ; setting out with
Mr. Ijsseldijk on a tour (Aug. 2), via Bantol, Brosot, Selangon, Rawa, Padat, to
Caranbolon ( = Karangbolong on the south coast), collecting several new plants on
hills in the environs ; from Patanaga ( = Petanahan) to Rawa (large lake with
pelicans, etc.), Louvano (pepper plantations), Soerakarta (24) ; Sept. 2 via Bojolali
climbing Mt. Merapi and back ; Sept. 8 to Mt. Lawu, via Gondo (9), he himself
being too tired to reach the summit, but sending his collectors thither (n) ; back
at Solo ( = Surakarta) (12) ; return to Djokjakarta (18) ; to Djivo (28), Maniaran
(29), Bankat (30), through teak forest (31), Zuidergebergte, from Mounon (Oct. 1)
to Patiitan ( = Patjitan), back to Maniaran, Djivo (6), Baudion (or Bodion) (7),
via Magelang and Setron returning to Semarang ; in the vicinity of Mts. Soembing
and Sindoro (20), at Wonogiri (21), Soulocaton ( = Selokaton) (22) ; through teak
forest with many monkeys, Batan ( = Batang) (23) ; Pekalongan (24) ; via Pema-
lang to Tegal (26), giving up the idea of climbing Mt. Slamat, and returning to
Pekalongan (staying 3 weeks), from where (Nov. 22) via Batam ( = ? Batang) along
the coast to Plaburan, Panarouban, Bleri ( = Weleri) (leaving on the 23rd), Kendal
(24), and Semarang. The rainy monsoon was used for arranging and identifying
the collections. April 1796 setting out for a 6-month trip, accompanied by 2
draughtsmen, slaves etc. ; from Semarang to Masaron ; Siraguen (May 3), Djogorogo
(4), and the 5th proceeding by proa to E. Java : Ngawi at the junction of Solo and
Madiun River ; descending the river to Panolang (6), Searang (8), Camolan (9),
Doucon ( = Dukung) (10), and Grissee (n), visiting the environs of the latter place ;
by boat to Surabaja (23), from there (26) to Bangil, making a mountain trip (30)
to Pandangan and Ledu (June 2) : to Bagal ( = Bangil) (June 3), Pasuruan (5),
and the nth setting out to Tinguer ( = Mt. Tengger), visiting Mt. Bromo via Puspo,
the " mer de Cendre " ( = Zandzee), Bato(er), till the 14th, and then proceeding
to Malan(g) via Bangor (14), Poron(g) (15), Malang (15) ; Poron(g) (16) to Pasuruan

1 Port in N.W. France from where Caesar crossed the Channel to England.

54 LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

(16), Surabaja (20), embarking (25) for Madura, visiting Ban(g)kalan(g), making a
trip to the N. coast (26), and to Pamekas(s)an (30) ; from Bankalan (July 5) to
Sumenap ( = Sumenep) (6), staying till July 14; leaving the island by boat (15)
and forced to land near Besuki at Panarucan ( = Panarukan) in E. Java ; pro-
ceeding by land to Cape Sundana ( = Sedano) near Sombrouarou (Sumberwaru),
and to Banjuwangi via Batudodol (20) ; collecting in the environs of Banjuwangi
(also zoological objects) ; on his way (Aug. 8) to the Ydjieng ( = Mt. Idjen) via
Bandjar, visiting the crater ; back to Banjuwangi (n) with an extensive collection
of plants, etc. ; trip to the S. coast, collecting a new Passiflora, a Limonia, etc.,
and returning via Kradjagan ( = ? Gradjagan) (18), Panpan ( = Pangpang) (19),
making several small trips, and staying for 6 weeks at B(e)lambangan ; by sea
(Sept. 6) to Besuki ; proceeding to Probolinggo (9), and Pasuruan ; Surabaja,
Grisse(e) ; crossing to Madura (fort Sambilungan = Sembilangan) (20), and back
to E. Java, Sydayo ( = Sidaju) (21) ; to Crandji (22), Touban (23), Niangolon (24) ;
Centr. Java: Las(s)em, Rembang (26), Joinna ( = Joanna), from where (Oct. 2)
to (D) Japara, climbing Mt. Murai ( = Moeriah) (4), and returning to Japara (6) ;
back at Semarang (7). During the wet monsoon staying at Semarang. May 1,
1797 " en route " once more, this time to the west ; leaving Semarang (May 1),
via Kaliwongan ( = Kaliwungu), Kendal, Vleri ( = Weleri), Batan(g) (2), Pekalongan
(3), Tegal (June 5-13) ; setting out to Mt. Tagal or Mt. Sraia ( = Slamat), via
Bandiaran (14), Ramboul(i5), Tchibedel, not reaching the summit, but descending
on the 16th ; via Labaxio ( = Lebak Sioe) (16) ; returning to Tegal (17) ; the 19th
proceeding via Berbes ( = Brebes) to W. Java, Cheribon ; visiting some hot springs
in the environs of Cheribon (July 7 and 8), making a trip to the district West of
Mt. Tjerme ( = Tjeremai or Tjareme) ; to Ling(g)adjati (10), visiting slope of
Mt. Tjeremai ; the 13th trying to climb Mt. Tjerme, but being himself too tired, he
sent his collectors to the summit ; Cheribon (15-23) ; proceeding via Ragasvatjana
(24), Quali ( = Kawali) (26), Tj(i)amis (27), Konasin (30), Tjeboulon (31) ; by proa
downstream the river Tjeboulon (Aug. 1) and Tchelando, and crossing to Nusa
Kambangan (Island), visiting Manoudjai, N. Central coast of the island, some
caves (2), Pamotan (3), and walking along the S. coast of W. Java to the west (5) to
point Penandjon ( = Penandjung or Panindjoan Peninsula) ; Tchecomboulon
( = Tjikembulan), leaving the 6th for Soukapoura (staying 9-12) ; to Pamoijanan
(13), Panembon (14), trip to Mt. Papandajan (15), and from Panembon along the
foot of Mt. Guntur to Djatilaxano, and Prakamoutjon (W. of Sumedang) ; visiting
hot spring (18) ; Bando(e)ng (19) ; mountains N. of Bandung (21) ; to Tjeraton
(23), collecting in the environs (23-24) ; Bandung (25-26) ; to Batulaian (27),
collecting in the environs (29) ; Rajamandala (30), Tchekalon ( = Tjikalong) (31),
Tj(i)andjo(e)r (Sept. 1-5) ; Mt. Gede (not the summit), Tjipanas and environs
(6-n) ; back at Tjiandjur (12) ; from Bandung (17) to TcheCombar ( = Tjikembar)
(20), Tcheringin ( = Tjaringin) (21), and Wijnkoopsbaai or Pelabuan Ratu (22);
Pandjindang (23) ; Tchethourou ( = Tjitjurug) (24), Pondok Gede (25-30), Tsjero(e)a
and Megamendung (Oct. 1-8), Pondok Gede (9), Buitenzorg (10), Batutulis ; towards
the end of October proceeding to Batavia, 1798 at Buitenzorg (April) ; Sumedang,
P. Muntjang, Mt. Guntur, Mt. Tangkuban Prahu.

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS 55

3. IDENTIFICATION OF DESCHAMPS'S PLATES
OF JAVANESE PLANTS

Dr. Backer and I have refrained from identifying the numerous beautifully
detailed drawings of dissected flowers, etc., which illustrate the diary and other
MSS. of Deschamps, limiting ourselves to the collection of large quarto figures
in a portfolio, which was shown to the first two authors in November, 1946. Lack
of time then prevented us from making a close examination of the identity of the
species represented.

In 1947, with the kind permission of the Trustees of the British Museum, these
plates were sent on loan to Holland, where Dr. Backer and I could study them at
our leisure in detail.

The plates were intended by Deschamps for publication in a several-volumed
work Flora Javanica. A few plates were copied from Rumphius's Herbarium
Amboinense, viz. pi. 251 and 252, representing respectively Cocos nucifera and
Arenga pinnata. The others are obviously all original either made by Deschamps
himself or by draughtsmen (probably Indonesian) who accompanied him and
were placed at his disposal by his protector, Governor Van Overstraten.

Though Deschamps at some time received a copy of the plates made by or for
Norofia — which we have also identified — there is no agreement between the Latin
and vernacular names by Norofia and by Deschamps. Deschamps apparently did
not " borrow " anything from his predecessor. As a matter of fact his travels are
infinitely wider and more prolonged than the trip Noroha made. He appreciated
the latter's work apparently and named Nos. 188-189 a genus Norona ( = Salacia)
after him. He did not neglect other persons : in the first place his protector after
whom he named a Saurauja species Overstratia (No. 94) ; another was named after
Mr. Ijsseldijk Ijseldithia (No. 172), and there is Feberina (No. 73) after somebody
unknown to us.

The plates have been numbered by us (in pencil) in the sequence in which we
received them. They were already laid in five covers on which was noted : Poly-
petalae, Monopetalae, Monocots and Cryptogams. This arrangement was probably
done at the British Museum.

Some of the plates are water-colour drawings.

Sometimes analyses of flowers are added, and all plates bear the character of
being exceedingly artistic and accurate. Their composition must certainly have
given Deschamps real pleasure, and the diary shows how much he was interested by
and absorbed in a careful examination of the species. His zeal and untiring interest
must have been tremendous.

Most of the plates are accompanied by a native name, written by Deschamps in
the French manner as he understood them from the native pronunciation. These
native names are partly in Javanese and partly in Sundanese, indicating his collecting
respectively in the central and eastern parts of Java or the western part.

These vernacular names proved to be valuable in checking our identifications.

56 LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

Some of the names he cited are wrong. For interest we have added some
of the names in their present spelling in the third column. Moreover a good many
of the plates are provided with Latin plant names, which served apparently as
preliminaries for the intended future publication.

From the plates it is obvious that Deschamps made his trips to a large extent in
unknown country and that he was a keen observer in the field. It is curious to
note that Deschamps collected several species which are now very rare in Java.
The island was, in Deschamps's time, much less devastated and much less converted
to a " culture-steppe " than at the present time. Among the outstanding dis-
coveries is that of Rafflesia, of which a good drawing is preserved and of which
we have added a photograph to this paper (PI. 13). Twenty years later, sometime
between 1812 and 1819, Horsfield also collected an (immature) specimen of Rafflesia
in Java, but the first published record of the genus Rafflesia was only made as late
as 1820-22 by R. Brown in Trans. Linn. Soc. 13 : 201 (1821).

Some of the species or genera were apparently new to science in the opinion of
Deschamps, and in those cases he added the abbreviations G.N. (genus novum) or
S.N. (species nova).

That Deschamps did most of the drawings himself is likely, but of this we cannot
be certain. For instance we found on pi. 56, Lager stroemia, an indication that this
plate was made by a certain Soehati, whom we assume to be one of the Javanese
draughtsmen.

In addition to Rafflesia, some other records deserve comment. For example,
No. 6, Aeschynomene trachyloba., which is an exceedingly rare species and according
to Backer (Schoolflora, 1911, p. 333), has only been once found in Central-East Java
and not recorded since.

An outstanding record is no. 57 " Bombax lobatum," which represents unmistak-
able Cochlospermum religiosum, a plant which was doubtless introduced by the
Hindus 1 as a sacred temple plant. Hitherto it has been found only very locally
in Bali Island. As Deschamps never visited that island, his record must have
been derived from a Javanese plant.

Among the plants depicted are some which evidently had at that time already
been introduced into Java ; examples of this kind are No. 43, Otophora alata
(native in Borneo), No. 47, Mesua ferrea (not found wild in Java), No. 39,
Hydrangea macrophylla from Eastern Asia, No. 125 represents Coffea arabica, of
which the cultivation in Java dates back to 1697-1698.

The collections reflect Deschamps' activities in nearly all types of vegetation ;
the dry arid parts of East and Central Java at low altitude, the coastal zone, the
mountains of East Java (cf. No. 44, Euonymus japonicus, and No. 60, Berberis
wallichiana) and the mountain forest of West Java.

As, of course, only very selected plants were drawn, his collections comprised
many more than the 270 species depicted and he must have possessed a unique
field knowledge of the Javanese flora, rivalled only by that later acquired by Hors-
field, Junghuhn and Zollinger.

1 Cf. Bull. Jard Bot. Buitenz., Ser. 3, 13 : 519 (1936) ; W« Males. I, Ser. I, 4 2 : 62-63 (i949)-

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

57

4. LIST OF DESCHAMPS'S MS. PLATES
WITH THEIR IDENTIFICATION

Most of the plants could be identified as far as the family. Out of 271 (No. 196
is a plate with 2 pictures) only 12 remain entirely unidentified (Nos. 11, 35, 37, 78,
81, 84, 122, 134, 150, 161, 227, 228), 13 are only referred to a family, 49 numbers
could be assigned with a degree of finality to the genus only, and 197 could be
referred to a species with reasonable accuracy. Sometimes we added a short note,
either on the species or on the specific name.

The Latin names added by Deschamps on the drawings are placed in the first
column between quotation marks.

Deschamps was apparently sometimes in need of drawing-paper as No. 2 is drawn
on the back of No. 1, No. 24 is found on the back of 23 and unfinished sketches are
found on the backs of other sheets.

Some plates are drawn twice, as No. 58 is apparently the same as No. 9 and No.
105 is the same as No. 24.

Though some numbers apparently represent mixtures (No. 25, No. 134) and the
leaves of No. 62, Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz, are drawn as uneven-pinnate, most
pictures are very skilfully done, and the details of flowers and fruits bear witness
of the love and care Deschamps bestowed on his drawing.

Numbers in the first column marked with an asterisk indicate that the plate is a
water-colour drawing.

Current vernacular name

or comment on those

given by Deschamps

tebalan is a common name
for Alysicarpus spp.

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

pantawalan .
kakas .

bankon

kadelen

nomkatiisan .

manieran wono
(wono = wild)

" Poutio com-
munis "

kantjilan, " Tri-
carpon tripsa-
cum "

Present botanical identification

Alysicarpus bupleurifolius (L.)
DC.

HlPTAGE BENGHALENSIS (L.) Kurz

(on the back of No. 1)

PlTHECELLOBIUM cf. FAGIFOLIUM

Bl. ex Miq.
Piper nigrum L. (on the back of

No. 3)
Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.)

Benth.
Aeschynomene trachyloba Miq.
Smithia sensitiva Ait.

Pangium edule Reinw.

Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd.

(sketch only, on the back of

No. 8)
Tetracera indica (Christm. &

Panz.) Merr. (T. assa DC)

bangkong, J. 1

kedelen, J.

katisan, J.

native name wrong

putjung, J.

J. stands for the Javanese language, S for Sundanese, Md. for Madurese.

58

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

ii. nampo

12. zekkardangan

13-

djemporan

14.

" Dilennea "

15-

" Capparis "

16.

mojoo .

17-

—

18.

—

19.

—

20.

" Mimosa aqua-

tica "

21.

tomtoman

22.

23-

pate

24.

manis jangan

25-

" Cassia mono-

philla "

26.

—

27.

tajoeman

28.

" Hedera tomen-

tosa "

29.

djomboek

3^-

" Philanthus "

3i-

— ■

32.

cadjioe tai, "Evo-

nymus sterco-

rarius "

33. hipadali

34. gadangan

35. " Anensa java-

nica "

36. -

Present botanical identification

Quid ? Habit like Calophyllum,
fruit 7-celled, with 7 deep
grooves, large, inferior, thick
exo- and endocarp

Vallaris glabra (L.) Kuntze
(V. pergulana Burm. f.) (culti-
vated only)

Trevesia sundaica Miq.

DlLLENIA PENTAGYNA Roxb.

Cadaba capparoides DC. (rare,

in East Java only)
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa
Allophylus cobbe Bl. sens. lat.

HlPPOCRATEA ? MACRANTHA Korth

cf. Tephrosia dichotoma Desv.
Neptunia oleracea Lour.

Indigofera hirsuta L.

Rubus lineatus Reinw. ex Bl.
Parkia speciosa Hassk.

Cf . ClNNAMOMUM BURMANNI Bl. (on

back of No. 23)

Leaf like that of Crotalaria
retusa L., flower of Cassia
occidentalis L. ; ? mixtum

Cassia javanica L.

Bauhinia hirsuta Weinm.

SCHEFFLERA Sp.

Xylocarpus granatum Koen.

Sauropus spectabilis Miq.

Actinidia callosa Lindl. (occurs
only in West Java)

cf. Geniostoma miquelianum
Koord. & Valet. (The native
name alludes to the fetid odour
of Lasianthus and other Rubi-
aceae, but the plate suggests
Geniostoma)

Cf. TURPINIA POMIFERA (Roxb.)

DC.

UVARIA RUFA Bl.

? EUPHORBIACEA : cf . OSTODES

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

dondong, S.

(sekar = flower)

misspelt Latin word

madja, J.

lorn — Indigofera, tomtoman
is used for several spp.
incl. this one.

pete or peteh.
manis djangan, J.

tajuman, J.

djomba, J.

vernacular name is wrong
and is that of Rader-

machera.

Sarcococca
Muell. Are

saligna (D. Don)

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

37. " Melacephala

montana "
38- -

39-* —

40.

joeroehan

41.

tyamboe aer ma-

war poetie

42.

—

43-

—

44.

—

45-

—

46.

—

47-

nogosari

48.

? claion

49.

—

5°-

? tpons

5i-

lansap

52.

— ■

53-

" Acuticarpon

littorale "

54-

prouoco

55-

" Elaeocarpus

serrata "

56.

bajor, " Pentha-

pethes "

57-

" Bombax loba-

tum "

58. pogon kamirie,

" Camitium

59. tayoeman

60. " Berberia "

61. genitri

62. kedondon

63. sadan .

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS
Present botanical identification

? euphorbiacea

Xanthophyllum vitellinum
(Bl.) Nees

Hydrangea macrophylla
(Thunb.) Ser. (H. opuloides
(Lam.) C. Koch ; H. hortensia
Sieb.) (the cultivated plant)

MlCROMELUM PUBESCENS Bl.

59

Syzygium aqueum (Burm. f.)

Alston
Adenostemma lavenia (L.)

Kuntze sens. lat.
Otophora alata Bl. (a native

from Borneo)
Euonymus japonicus Thunb.
Evodia sp.

Begonia cf. isoptera Dryand.
Mesua ferrea L. (not native

in Java)
cf. Arytera littoralis Bl.

PlMPINELLA JAVANA DC.

Oenanthe javanica DC.
Lansium domesticum Correa
Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaertn.
Tristellateia australasiae A.

Rich.
Gaultheria leucocarpa Bl.
Elaeocarpus grandiflorus Sm.

Pterospermum javanicum Jungh.
(Soehati del.)

COCHLOSPERMUM RELIQIOSUM (L.)

Alston (This species has never
been found in Java as yet.
Identification unquestionable)

Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd.

(nearly the same as No. 9)

Tinospora coriacea (Bl.) Beumee
(Cocculus coriaceus Bl.)

Berberis wallichiana DC. (typi-
cal high mountain plant)

Elaeocarpus sp.

Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz (S.

mangifera Willd.) (leaves

wrongly drawn)
Passiflora horsfieldii Bl. (a

rare species ; cf . itinerary)

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

djeroekan (similar to
" djeroek " = citrus)
djamboe aer

tespong
langsap

purwo, J.

bajur

kemiri
tajuman

ganitri is used for more

than one sp.
kedongdong

6o

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

64.

65.
66.

" Melanostoma
an laevigata "
" Melanostoma "
ki arendon .

67. —

68. dialingan

69. " Anona '

70.

Kala .

7i-

" Michellia "

72.

" Michellia,"

" S.N."

73-

" Feberina ex-

celsa," tivo

soureso

74-

" Rhedia " .

75-

" Solitaria java-

nica "

76.

panpon

77-

wadon .

78.

" Ornitope "

79-

" Bo done a "

" Ptelea vis-

cosa "

80.

" Coocktia "

81.

" Ceanothus "

82.

djirac, " prunus

tinctoria "

83-

sasa

84.

k. binia ?

«5-

" olax "

86.

87.

ble ketebe

88.

labo walou .

89.

" Melanostoma " .

90.

kadondon " Ery- .

throsperma gla- .

bra "

9i-

" Cissus trilobus .

S.N."

Present botanical identification

Medinilla javanensis (Bl.) Bl.

Medinilla laurifolia (Bl.) Bl.
Macrolenes muscosa (Bl.) Bakh.
f. (Marumia muscosa (Bl.) Bl.)

FvUBUS ALCAEIFOLIUS Poir.

Rubus rosifolius Sm.

FlSSISTIGMA LATIFOLIUM (Dunal)

Merr. (Melodorum latifolium
(Dunal) Hook. f. & Thorns.,
non Bl.)
Desmos chinensis Lour. (Unona
discolor Vahl)

Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.

f. & Thorns.
Talauma candollii Bl.

Meliosma sp. (The fruits do not
agree with the detail drawings)

? Calophyllum sp.
Harrisonia brownii Juss.

SCHEFFLERA Sp.

Garcinia sp.

? SAPINDACEA ? TURPINIA

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.

? Clausena harmandiana Pierre

(C. olivieri Koord.)
Quid?
Symplocos sp.

Symplocos sp.

Quid ? (The opposite pinnate

leaves suggest Turpinia)
Olax scandens Roxb. (beautiful

detail analysis)
Brucea amarissima (Lour.) Desv.
Sloanea sigun (Bl.) Szysz.
Trichosanthes anguina L.
Creochiton bibracteatus (Bl.) Bl.
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.)

Merr. (L. grandis (Dennst.)

Engl.)
? Cissus aff. repens Lam.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

ki harendong, a common
name for several genera
and spp. of Melasto-
mataceae.

tjalingan, J.

kalak is a general name for
Annonaceae and for this
one

ki tiwu, S. (for Meliosma)

wadon, wadung, J.

djirek, J., djirak, S.
sasah, S.

beleketebek, S.

native name is wrong

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

61

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

92.

—

93-

—

94-

" Overstratia "

95-

omor bohot .

96.

" illecebrum in

dicum "

97-

patina .

98. patio .

99.* (" T 191 ") •

100. maritja, "Piper

pallidum "

101. —

102. comoncoan,

" Piper cucu-
bea "
103.* (" 194 ") " My-
ristica "

104. " Myristica,"

" vol. 2, tab.
6"

105. manis jangan,
" Laurus "

106. " Laurus cuni-

folia "

107. kandon

108. " Lorhanthus "

109. Djndana, " San-

talum album ' '

no. upas, " antiar "

in. ttpas, " dele-

taria "
112. " Carimbonca

sylvatica "

113. kamadon, " Py-

reenia urens "

114. " Ficus axil-

laris "

115. " Ficus parvi-

f alius "

Present botanical identification

Ehretia microphylla Lam. (E.

buxifolia Roxb.)
Hydrangea aspera D. Don (H.

oblongifolia Bl.)
Saurauja sp.

Kadsura scandens (Bl.) Bl.
Alternanthera sessilis (L.)

Sweet.
Rap'flesia patma Bl. (male) (This

is the first record of the genus,

being earlier than that of Hors-

field)
Piper sulcatum Bl. (P. nigrescens

Bl.)
Piper cf. majusculum Bl.
Piper nigrum L.

Piper sp. (tinged with E.I. ink)
Piper sp.

Myristica fragrans Houtt. (small

size picture)
Myristica fragrans Houtt.

Cinnamomum burmanni Bl. (Same
as pi. 24)

LlTSEA Cf. DIVERSIFOLIA Bl.

Helicia serrata Bl.
Macrosolen cf. PSEUDOPERFOLI-

atus Miq. (only known from

East Java)
Santalum album L.

Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (male)
(the famous poisonous tree)

Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (fe-
male)

Nertera granadensis (L.f.)
Druce (A/, depressa Banks ex
Sol.) (beautiful details of the
minute flowers)

Laportea stimulans Miq.

FlCUS VARIEGATA Bl.

Ficus punctata Thunb.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

maritja (common name for
pepper)

kendung, Md., kendang, J.

tjandana, tjendana, J.

upas

upas

hamaduan (— burning)

62

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

116.

saruban, " Bi-

sphaeria "

117.

crambi, " cram-

binum "

118.

sarangan, " fagus .

indica "

119.

" gandria acida " .

120.

oeran oeroengan

121.

hdmbaran

122.

—

123.

gondopouro .

124.

—

125.

koffie (Dutch !)

126.

—

127.

—

128.

" Ruellia " .

129. tingigonnon ,
" Erica "

130. " 5 dria "

131- —

132. momal

133. tankoro

134. amprou badak

135-

" Justicia Java

nica "

136.

" Justicia " .

!37-

cosma, " Garci

nia," " Dios

pyros "

138.

" Pergularia "

139*

—

140.*

—

141.*

—

142.

Present botanical identification

POIKILOSPERMUM SUAVEOLENS (Bl.)

Merr. (Conocephalus suaveolens
Bl.) (female specimen)

HOMALANTHUS POPULNEUS (Geis.)

Pax

QUERCUS Sp.

BOUEA MACROPHYLLA Griff.

Urticacea: either Pouzolzia,
Maoutia or Debregeasia

Ficus padana Burm. f. (F. toxi-
caria L.)

? Casearia sp.

Gaultheria fragrantissima
Wall.

Clerodendrum serratum Spr.

COFFEA ARABICA L.

Gmelina elliptica Sm. (G. villosa
Roxb.)

LlMNOPHILA PINNATIFIDA Bl.

Allaeophania rugosa (Bl.) Boerl.
or Spermacoce hispida L.

Gaultheria nummularioides D.
Don (The name tingigonnon
means : " from high moun-
tains " alluding to the micro-
therm habitat)

Dipterocarpus sp. (In Java 5
species occur, some of which are
closely allied)

DlPLYCOSIA HETEROPHYLLA Bl.

Sapotacea

? ostodes paniculata bl.

Quid ? (hamperu badak is used for
Voacanga and Tabernaemon-
tana. The plate suggests Ru-
biaceae, but the leaves are
drawn alternate)

Rhinacanthus nasuta (L.) Kurz

Eranthemum sp.
Diospyros (cf. aurea Teijsm. &
Binnend)

Telosma (Pergularia) sp.

Saurauja pendula Bl.

Saurauja bracteosa DC.

Jasminum crassifolium Bl. (beau-
tiful plate ; only in West Java
mountains)

IXORA JAVANICA (Bl.) DC.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

karumbi

gandaria

name for various Urticaceae

hambaran

gandopouro, J.

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

63

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

143-
144.

145
146

147

149
150

1.51
152

153-
*54-
155-

156.

157-
158.

159.
160.
161.

162.
163.
164.
165.
166.

167.

168.

169.

sombon buma

" Rhododen-
drum "

" ? Morphea "
gatie boentoet,

" Plutonea "
kalei kambin

" Diannea inter-
gra " " st. 2 "

" Ligustrum

racemosum "
Melati costa,

" Gerardia "
" Pinguicula

unibracteata,

Garrisonniana '
? " Germinalia "
" arbutus " .
? manin idio,

" Arbutus "
" Pyrostria "
" Psychotria "
" Gentiana verti-

cillata "
" Mellia " .
" Pergularia "
" MicocaulaL."
" Elictres isora "
" Solanum spic-

tatum "
cronlack, " ippo-

mea bona nox "
kionga, " Eneia,

St. 5 "
kakas, " Molinda

L.M.," G.N.

170.* " Azalia indica "

Present botanical identification

Orophea hexandra Bl.
Psychotria, Hypobathrum or

allied genus (The leaves are not

all drawn as strictly decussate)
Gesneriacea ? Rhynchothechum

sp. or Cyrtandra sp.
Rhododendron javanicum

(Bl.) Benn.
Millingtonia hortensis L.f.

(only in East Java)
Rhododendron retusum (Bl.)

Benn.
Fagraea cf. auriculata Jack
Fagraea or Verbenacea

Tabernaemontana sphaero-

CARPA Bl.
DlDYMOCARPUS ASPERIFOLIUS

(Bl.) Bakh. f. (Good drawing,
leaves anisophyll, stamens 2)
Ligustrum glomeratum Bl.

Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait.

Epithema sp.

DlCHROA FEBRIFUGA Lour. S.l.
Vaccinium ? LAURIFOLIUM Miq.
Vaccinium varingifolium (Bl.)

Miq.
Meyna spinosa Roxb. ex Link
Psychotria sp.
Quid ? an Olacacea ?

acanthacea ? dlpteracanthus
Beaumontia ?
schoutenia ?
helicteres viscida bl.
Ardisia sp.

Ipomoea aculeata Bl.

PlTTOSPORUM MONTICOLA Miq.

" HlPTAGE BENGHALENSIS (L.)

Kurz " (H. madablota Gaertn.)
Apparently supposed to be a
new genus by Deschamps himself.
Rhododenron indicum Sw.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

6 4

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

171. " Garcinia "

" Diospyros "

172. goundo, " yssel-

dithia," " Cus-

173. " Eclyptica "

174.

175-
176.

177

178

179

180
181

182

183

184

185
186

187.

188.

189.

190."

191.

192.

193-

blontas, " Bac-
charis indica "

' Orobanche,"
" Cor. cocci-
nea "

" Orobantha "

" Coelestia cer-

rulea "
" Balansa pin-

nata "
" Balanea " .
" Ecbolium,"

" Justicia "
" Gratiola pedi-

culata S.N."
soenlar, " Con-

vulvulus "
caiou api
" Solatium "
" Ligustrum,"

" Echites par-

viflora "
" Richia " .

" Norona lit-
torea "

" Norona parvi-
flora "

rahengas, " Man-
ga deletaria "

" E. Luteo-rub-
rum "

" Epidendrum
scriptum "

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS
Present botanical identification

Diospyros sp.

Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn.
(Deschamps had apparently the
intention to call this plant after
Mr. Ijsseldijk with whom he had
associations) .

Adenostemma lavenia (L.)
Kuntze sens. lat. (same species as
in pi. 42)

Pluchea indica (L.) Less.

Pothos sp. (on back of pi. 174 ;

rough sketch)
Aeschynanthus longiflorus

(Bl.) DC.

Aeschynanthus radicans Jack

{A . pulcher Don)
Rhynchoglossum obliquum Bl.

Dysoxylum sp.

POLYOSMA Sp.
Eranthemum VISCIDUM Bl.

CURANGA FEL-TERRAE (Lour.)

Merr. (C. amara Juss.)

PORANA RACEMOSA Roxb.
AVICENNIA Sp.

Ardisia sp.
Apocynacea

TABERNAEMONTANA Cf. FLORI-
BUNDA Bl.

Salacia sp.
Salacia sp.
Gluta RENGHAS L.

Renanthera matutina (Bl.)

Lindl. vel aff.
Arachnis flos-aeris (L.)

Reichb. f. (Arachnanthe moschi-

fera (Bl.) Bl.)
Cymbidium cf. finlaysonianum

(Bl.) Lindl.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

behmtas

kaju apt

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

65

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

194.

" Epidendrum

grandiflorum "

195-

" E. taxifolium "

196a.

" E. minus "

196&.

" E. spicatum "

197.

—

198.

" E. dissectum "

199.

—

200.

—

201.

' ' E . bulbi-

florum "

202.

—

203.

" E. caninum "

204.

" E. parvifo-

lium "

205.

" E. bracte-

atum "

206.

" E. flos aeris "

207.

" Ep. pendu-

lum "

208.

" Ep. distictts "

209. " Ep. furcum "

210. " E. medium "

211. " tenuifolium ' '

212. " E. elesans "

213.

214.

215-

" E. ramosum "
" E. tuberosum "

216.
217.
218.

" Ep. fulvum "
" E. rubrum "
" E. tomento-

sum "

219.

—

220.

—

221.

" Amomum car-
damomum "

222.

—

223.

— ■

224.

" Costus arabi-

cus "

Present botanical identification

Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Bl.
Appendicula sp.

BULBOPHYLLUM Sp. (with No. I96&

on one plate)
Oberonia sp.
Cryptostylis arachnites (Bl.)

Hassk.
? Eulophia squalida (Bl.) Lindl.
Arundina graminifolia (D. Don)

Hochr. {A. speciosa Bl.)
Dendrochilum sp.
Philidota sp.

Dendrobium tetraedre (Bl.)

Lindl.
Dendrobium sp.
Spathoglottis sp.

Appendicula cf. pendula Bl.

Trichoglottis retusa Bl.
Trichoglottis vel Eria sp.

Dendrobium aff. aloifolium (Bl.)

Reichb. f.
Vanda cf. tricolor Lindl.

ASCOCENTRUM MINIATUM (Bl.)

Schlechter

SARCANTHUS Cf. APICULATUS J. J.

Sm.
Aerides odorata Lour. (A. sua-

veolens Bl.)
? Calanthe sp.

Acriopsis javanica Reinw. ex Bl.
Phaius tancarvilleae (Banks

ex L'Herit.) Bl.
Spathoglottis affinis De Vriese

COELOGYNE MINIATA (Bl.) Lindl.

Eria cf. albidotomentosa (Bl.)

Lindl.
Dendrobium cf. mutabile (Bl.)

Lindl.
Zingiber sp.

ZlNGIBERACEA

Kaempferia sp.
Arthrocnemum indicum (Willd.)

Moq.
Costus speciosus Sm.

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

66

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

Present botanical identification

Current vernacular name
or comment on those
given by Deschamps

225.

—

Curcuma sp.

226.

" Marantacia .
galanga "

Alpinia galanga (L.) Stuntz

227.

—

? ZlNGIBERACEA

228.

—

Quid ? (drawing too sketchy)

229.

tonta

Zingiber sp.

230.

" Marantacia
malaccensis "

Alpinia sp.

231.

" Mavantana
minor " djankra

Globba strobilipera Zoll. & Mor.

232.

tommo contji
" Kaempferia
rotunda

Kaempferia rotunda L.

233-

g andos ouly ,
"Kaempferia
hedychium "

Hedychium sp.

234-

bangli, " Amo-
mum carda-
num "

Amomum sp.

235-

lankoas, " Mar an- .
tana galanga "

Alpinia sp.

236.

tpous, ".Amo-

Phaeomeria speciosa (Bl.) Koord. .

mum gigan-

(Nicolaia speciosa (Bl.) Horan.)

teum "

237-

" Amomum car-,
damoides S.N."

ZlNGIBERACEA

238.

wonsa, " Amo-
mum glabra "

Amomum maximum Roxb.

239.

" Amomum gi-

Phaeomeria speciosa (Bl.) Koord. .

ganteum "

(Nicolaia speciosa (Bl.) Horan.)

240.

capoloys, " Amo- .
mum carda-
mum "

ZlNGIBERACEA

241.

tpus, "Am. coc-

Amomum coccineum (Bl.) Benth.

cineum S.N."

& Hook.

242.

" Asphodellus "

DlANELLA ENSIFOLIA L.

243-*

toulan .

Gloriosa SUPERBA L.

244.

" Uvularia "

DlSPORUM CANTONIENSE (Lour. )

Merr. sens. lat.(D. pullum Salisb.,
D. chinense Sabine, etc.)

245-

" Pontederia "

Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.)
Kunth

246.

" Draco ntium "

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw.

247.

" Arum probo-

Typhonium flagelliforme

cidum "

(Lodd.) Bl.

248.

sampi .

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw.

249.

" Arum "

Cryptocoryne ciliata Fisch. ex
Wydler

250.

terkoso

Pothos sp. (The same figure as .
Pi- 175)

251-

" Cocos "

Cocos NUCIFERA L.

tongtak, S.

kuntji

gandasuli

banglai or bangle is some-
times used for Zingi-
beraceae sens. lat.

langkuwas is a general
name for Alpinia spp.

tepus is general name for

Amomum, Achasma, etc.

tepus

sungsang

Number of plate and
name by Deschamps

LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS
Present botanical identification

67

Current vernacular name

or comment on those

given by Deschamps

252.

saguaster

Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. .

253-

" sirasi, air ana
aquatica ,,

Areca catechu L.

254-

saguaster

Metroxylon sagu Rottb. sens. lat. .

255.

" Cocos "

COCOS NUCIFERA L.

256.

senti

Palma (a species of rattan)

257-

" Calamus cunei-
folius "

? KORTHALSIA ROBUSTA Bl.

258.

" Calamus
minor "

Calamus sp.

259.

" Calamus brac-

Plectocomia elongata Mart, ex .

teatus "

Schult.

260.

—

Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. .

261.

" Sagus iner-

Metroxylon sagu Rottb. sens. .

mis "

lat. (on the back of this plate is
a faint sketch of pi. 37)

262.

saguaster

Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. .

263.

birou " Cory-

Licuala spinosa Wurmb (L. spec- .

pha "

tabilis Miq.)

264.

'

prob. Oncosperma filamentosum .
Bl.

265.

—

? Daemonorops sp.

266.

pinang bimbing
" Areca sil-
vestris "

PlNANGA KUHLII Bl.

267.

pinang rendu
" Areca minor "

Palma ? Pinanga sp.

268.

Simbar mend-.

Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.)

iangan

C. Chr.

" Ophioglos-

sum pendulum

lum N."

269.

pakis oling .

Dipteris conjugata Reinw.

270

" Phallus reticu-

Dictyophora indusiata (Vent.)

lars "

Desv.

bingbing

This is the story of the extensive and intelligent labours in Java of Louis Auguste
Deschamps, whom ill fate deprived of all the results of his five years' research in
Java when in sight of his homeland. But for the misfortune of losing his material,
Deschamps would certainly have been first, by many decades, to reveal the treasures
of the Javan flora. 1

1 The only published notes by Deschamps on his exploration in Java known to us appeared in Malte-
Brun, Ann. Voyages, vol. 1 (1809). The notes were published under the general title " Extrait d'un
voyage inedit dans l'int6rieur de ITsle de Java." Only two have been published. The first deals with
" Notice sur le pohon upas " (I.e., pp. 60-74). He mentions the occurrence of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch.
in East Java, states that the resin is used as dart poison, but he rejects the fabulous stories told about
this plant. He states further that Rumphius's plates of the flowers are wrong, and he gives a new
description of the male and female flowers himself. The origin of the fabulous stories he traced to a
custom of sending criminals to the Antiaris locality without food and clothes. The latter circumstances
caused their death.

The second is mainly ethnographic and is named " Moeurs, amusements, et spectacles Javanois "
(I.e., pp. 145-168). There are some note? on the " tuba " (Derris) which he calls Glycine frutescens .

68 LOUIS AUGUSTE DESCHAMPS

The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Keeper of Botany, British
Museum, for enabling them to make these historic notes, and especially to the
Trustees of the British Museum, who kindly gave their permission to have the
precious plates studied in detail in Holland by Dr. Backer, expert on the Javan
flora, and myself. Thanks are also due to Dr. E. D. Merrill, who read the MS.
of this paper and made many valuable suggestions, and to Dr. R. C. Bakhuizen
van den Brink, Leyden, for several nomenclatural corrections of the Latin names.

2 8 JAN 1954

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History, i, 2.

PLATE 13.

ST^3^

..«&»

«<&r, rv^*,

^w*«

> /»■ Ih ^T'VW

'//

Plate 13. — Reproduction of the original drawing by Deschamps of Rafflesia patma Bl. in Java.
In all probability Deschamps was the first white man to see and examine Rafflesia (1797),
twenty years before Arnold found another species in Sumatra, and 27 years before the same
species was recollected in Nusa Kambangan by Blume.

PRESENTED

2 8 JAN 1954

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY
ADLARD AND SON, LIMITED
BARTHOLOMEW PRESS, DORKING

I

A CATALOGUE AND

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF

THE BANKS SHELL

COLLECTION

GUY L. WILKINS

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. i, No. 3

LONDON: 1955

A CATALOGUE AND HISTORICAL
ACCOUNT OF THE BANKS SHELL

COLLECTION

BY

GUY L. WILKINS

Pp. 69-119 ; Pis. 14-19

^upr

j$<w,Ju

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. 1 No. 3

LONDON: 1955

THE BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY), instituted in 1949, is
issued in five series corresponding to the Departments
of the Museum, and an Historical Series.

Parts will appear at irregular intervals as they become
ready. Volumes will contain about three or four
hundred pages, and will not necessarily be completed
within one calendar year.

This paper is Vol. 1, No. 3 of the Historical series.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Issued February, 1955 ' Price One Pound

A CATALOGUE AND HISTORICAL
ACCOUNT OF THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

By GUY. L. WILKINS

CONTENTS

Pages

i. Origin, Scope and General Description of the Collection . 71-74

2. Contemporary Collections and Efforts to Trace Them . . 74-78

3. Historical Background, from the Arrival of Dr. Solander in

England, to his Death in 1782 ...... 79-81

4. The Solander Manuscripts and their use by subsequent Authors 81-88

5. Contributors to the Collection . . . . . . 88—89

6. Descriptive Catalogue : 90-91

Part I. Shells from the localities visited by the Endeavour, 1768-

1771 ......... 91-108

Part II. Specimens given to Banks from various localities up to

the year 1782 ....... 108-116

7. References ........... 1 16-1 19

8. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . .119

SYNOPSIS

In the following pages an attempt has been made to describe and catalogue the shell collection
of Sir Joseph Banks, presented to the British Museum by the Linnean Society of London in
1863, and untouched since that time. Although comparatively small and incomplete, this
unique collection is of historical interest in that it contains much of the original material
collected during Captain Cook's first voyage round the world (1768— 1 771).

This material, together with specimens given to Banks by several of his contemporaries, has
recently been identified and correlated with Solander's original manuscript labels and descrip-
tions. The plates include reproductions of a complete drawer of specimens, pages from the
Solander manuscripts, accompanied by the original shells described thereon (including three
Lectotypes), and a selection of specimens collected during the voyage of the " Endeavour."

1. ORIGIN, SCOPE AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Before the establishment and appreciation of great public museums, it was the
custom of most learned societies to endeavour to maintain collections relating to
their particular activities, a custom which invariably led to acute embarrassment
regarding storage space, efficient custody, and curating. The Linnean Society of
London, founded in 1788, was no exception to this general tendency, having accumu-
lated collections stowed away in attics and store-rooms where few ever entered

HIST. 1, 3. 5

72 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

(Gage, 1938, p. 124), and it was not until 1863, during the presidency of Thomas Bell,
that at last the decision was taken to reduce the Society's collections to manageable
proportions.

Some collections were consequently distributed to several Natural History societies
in the north of England ; others, including the Banks shell and insect collections,
were sent to the more commodious, but overcrowded quarters of the British Museum
(then at Bloomsbury), the remainder of unwanted collections being sold at Stevens'
Auction Rooms in November 1863.

Nothing appears to have been recorded since the bare statement of the receipt
of the Banksian shells in the Annual Reports of the British Museum, and the History
of the Collections (1912, p. 19) for the year 1863. It must be presumed that the col-
lection, which admittedly could never have looked inviting, was put aside to be
dealt with at some later date, thereby eventually losing its original identity and even
becoming known (within living memory), as the " Hanley Collection." According
to a list of donations to the collections of the Linnean Society published in Volume
XI of the Transactions in 1815 (p. 430), " An extensive collection of shells" was
presented to the Society by Sir Joseph Banks, but, apart from this brief statement,
there is no indication of the size of the collection, whether it comprised one or more
cabinets, or the approximate number of specimens. Even the actual date of presen-
tation is uncertain, for in those days a complete volume of the Transactions covered
a period of several years, so the conclusion is that it was presented at some date
between the publication of Volume X of the Transactions in 181 1, and Volume XI in
1815. William Swainson, writing in 1820 (text to plate 23), the only contemporary
author so far known to have actually used the collection, completes the description
of a new species of Mitra with the following paragraph : " This superb shell is figured
from the matchless specimen brought home by that illustrious and lamented patron
of science, the late Sir J. Banks, from the Pacific Ocean ; it is now, together
with his entire collection of shells and insects, in the Museum of the Linnean Society."
It has already been stated in the synopsis to this paper, that the collection as it now
stands is evidently incomplete ; further comparison with Solander's manuscript
shows several genera to be entirely missing, and it is suggested that the Banks collec-
tion may have been inadvertently divided in 1863, the missing portion perhaps being
sold in the auction sale recorded above.

In view of Swainson's statement that Banks's entire collection of shells was in the
Linnean Society's museum in 1820, it seems unlikely that any came to the British
Museum with the Banksian library and collections in 1827, as was supposed by
Edgar Smith (1906, p. 704) ; certainly no shells that can be identified as Banks'
material have been found in the Museum collections, apart from the present series.

The collection fills seven drawers of a small ten-drawer cabinet, each drawer fitted
with a sliding wooden dust-cover, a typical feature of the eighteenth-century speci-
men-cabinet {fide Portland Sale Catalogue, 1786, Lot 1728 : " A small mahogany
shell cabinet, with seven drawers and covers "). The shells are placed in metal
containers, made in multiples of four, to fit the drawers, a feature that led to the sus-
picion of some connexion with the collection of Linne, who is known to have stored
his specimens in similar containers (Gage, 1938, p. 128). As the collection was

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 73

alleged to have belonged to Sylvanus Hanley (1819-1899), it might easily be supposed
that he had either annexed the Linnean containers, when discarding them during his
work on Linne's shells in the 1850's (Jackson, 1888, p. 32), or that he had characteris-
tically adopted the same method in his own collection to emulate the immortal
Swede.

The possibility that Hanley may have purchased these shells at the sale in 1863
has not been overlooked, but it is inconceivable that such an ardent collector and
voluminous author could have left them untouched for over thirty years ; moreover,
Hanley's main collection is known to have been sold in 1900 to Henry Harvey,
a dealer in Houndsditch, only a few type specimens being purchased by the British
Museum.

The very early nomenclature appearing on the first few labels examined, however,
showed the collection to belong to a much earlier period than Hanley, subsequent
comparison with the Solander manuscripts proving beyond any doubt that this was
the Banks collection received from the Linnean Society in 1863, and that the metal
containers were probably the direct result of Solander's familiarity with the Linnean
cabinet during his student days in Sweden. One of the many containers from which
the shells were removed by Hanley, has been photographed beside the neater and
improved model, which could be used for either deep or shallow specimens simply by
reversing, a label flap being provided at the base as well as at the top of the container
(fig. 2 and 3) . Incidentally, the containers are lined with blue-coated paper, bearing
traces of the same Pro-Patria watermark that appears on many of Solander's manu-
script sheets.

The general condition of the shells is good, except in a few instances where they
are rust-marked through contact with the sides of the metal containers ; quite a
number of specimens still retain the periostracum, and in some the opercula are still
in place ; conditions which suggest that they were taken alive by Banks and Solander
during their collecting trips from the " Endeavour." Like most of Solander's work,
the collection was left in an unfinished condition, for although the labels in the
containers are numbered consecutively in each drawer, only a proportion have
been completed with name and locality ; some bear the name only, scrawled
roughly on scraps of paper torn from old letters (one such scrap still bears part of
a superscription directed to Dr. Solander in London) ; others have the localities
only, in full or abbreviated, while in the drawer containing the Muricidae, many
of the labels have only the number of the container in the drawer. It is obvious
from the writing on the labels that help was given by another person, for Solander's
rough labels, together with fair copies in an as yet unrecognized hand, are sometimes
found in the same container.

Solander died in 1782, so that the nomenclature he used is confined to the narrow
limits of the Vermes Testacea in the 12th edition of the Sy sterna Naturae (vol. 1,
pt. 2, 1767) ; therefore many species in the collection that did not occur in this
work were given a name by Solander who marked the label " MSS " and recorded
the full decription in the manuscript of his projected revision of the Sy sterna ; a task
that was incomplete and unpublished at the time of his sudden death.

This revision was compiled at a time when great strides were being made in all

74

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

departments of Natural History, but even so, it is revealing to find on examining
Solander's manuscripts that, in the mollusca alone, the genus Venus totalled 120
species, compared with the modest thirty-eight described by Linne. The surviving
portion of the Banks collection contains 1120 specimens in all (392 species) distributed
by Solander among seven Linnean genera, allotted to the seven drawers as follows :

Drawer

1
2
3
4
5

6

Linnean

Number of

Recently identified

genus

specimens

species of various
genera

Venus (1)

120

47

Venus (2)

114

53

Ostrea

99

35

Mytilus

170

58

Conus

144

41

J"Cypraea

214

55

\ Bulla

57

IQ

Murex

202

84

392

2. CONTEMPORARY COLLECTIONS AND EFFORTS TO TRACE THEM

A striking feature of the surviving Banks shells is the complete absence of any
of the large and showy Volutes, Turbos, and Murices so frequently referred to in
auction sale catalogues and conchological works of the period ; a feature that
suggests that these rather small specimens may have been pocketed quite casually
by Banks and Solander on the way across beaches on their botanizing expeditions.
After all, botany was one of the former's main reasons for accompanying Cook in the
" Endeavour," and it is fairly certain that the collecting of the larger marine shells
and corals was left to the officers and crew, who undoubtedly distributed these
novelties to the many ardent collectors on returning home, to mutual advantage.
The Portland collection was certainly enriched in this way, also that of Thomas
Martyn, author of the elaborate Universal Conchologist, in the preface to which (vol.
1, p. 26, 1784) he records that it was the purchasing of many new species of shells
from several officers " lately returned from the Pacific Ocean ", that induced him to
produce this " Laborious, Expensive, and Arduous undertaking ".

While it is possible to trace the vicissitudes of some of the conchological specimens
brought to this country from Cook's voyages by Banks and others, in contemporary
sale catalogues, i.e., Humphrey (1779) ; Portland (1786) ; Calonne (1797) ; Lever
(1806) and Bullock (1819), the present location of the actual specimens (except in a
few instances) is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to determine, enquiries based
on the most reliable of contemporary records frequently giving completely negative
results.

A particular example of this kind of enquiry is a recent attempt to locate the shell
collection of the well-known Quaker physician, Dr. John Fothergill (1712-1780), which
was said to be second only in importance to the Duchess of Portland's, and certainly
contained shells collected during Cook's first voyage by one of Banks's assistants,

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 75

Sydney Parkinson, also a Quaker. This gifted young artist died from the appalling
fever contracted by so many of the ship's company at Batavia towards the end of
1770, and thus the subsequent ownership of his collections and journals became the
subject of bitter controversy between Banks and Sydney's excitable and mentally
unbalanced brother StaiySfield Parkinson. The whole miserable story of this contro-
versy, during which Fothergill, as a prominent Quaker, was called in to mediate,
is told in the preface to Parkinson's Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, first
published in 1773, and in a second edition circulated by Fothergill in 1784, after
Stan/field's death, with a further preface in which he (Fothergill) sought to dispel
the unpleasant and unfounded accusations appearing in the original. The outcome
of the good doctor's efforts at mediation was that he purchased Sydney Parkinson's
shells for considerably more than they were worth, and these specimens so unhappily
acquired must have formed part of the Fothergill collections sold to William Hunter
in 1780. (Fox, 1919, pp. 78 and 213.)

Further evidence that the shells were acquired by Hunter is to be found in Martyn's
Universal Conchologist (p. 12, para. 2), where he remarks that " The cabinet of the
late Dr. Hunter, since the addition of that great collection formerly in the possession
of Dr. Fothergill, is truly magnificent". The Hunterian Museum was taken over by
the University of Glasgow after Hunter's death, and is still administered by the
University Court, but recent search among the shell collections in the museum of the
Zoological Department of the University (to which the Hunterian zoological material
was removed in 1923) has failed to reveal any collection that can be traced to the
time of Cook or Fothergill. Numerous corals, figured by John Ellis in 1786 from
Fothergill's specimens, are on display and well-known, but no shells appear to have
been received with them. It must therefore be presumed, as with the Lister shells
at Oxford (Wilkins, 1953, p. 7), that they lost their identity in the course of time,
and may have been abandoned for lack of space.

It is difficult to conceive how this could actually happen, for in the General Account
of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow, compiled by Captain James Laskey in 1813, no
less than ten closely printed pages were devoted to a description of the Conchological
Division of the museum, from which it is evident that most of the specimens were
contemporary with those in the Banks and Portland collections, and could only
have been acquired by Hunter from Fothergill in 1780.

In his introductory remarks, Laskey notes that " Linne has not described one-
fourth part of the objects contained here, and to remedy this deficiency we shall
have recourse in many instances, to the synonymies of the late Dr. Solander, which
will be designated by the letter " S ". From this note and the general wording of
his descriptions it is obvious that Laskey made use of an annotated copy of the
Portland Catalogue when compiling his account, and one item only, describing a
Malleus (p. 100), in which the wording is almost identical with that on p. 178 of the
Portland Catalogue, is sufficient to show once again that the Hunterian specimens
were contemporary with those in the Banks and Portland collections :

" Malleus, var. White Hammer Oyster, very rare. This specimen was brought
home by Captain Cook from the Coral Reef at Endeavour River and is very rare.
Twelve guineas have been given for a fine specimen."

76 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Although little authentic material appears to remain from the great collections
sold during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, it may be worth
while to record some further details associated with the Cook and Banks period.

The earliest collection of interest seems to be that sold in 1779 by George Humph-
rey, a prominent eighteenth century dealer in shells and curiosities, who had business
premises at 48 Long Acre as early as 1768, moving later to Leicester Square, where he
resided until his final retirement in 1823 (Dawson, 1949, p. 46). This enterprising
dealer had a finger in every conchological pie of any importance for the best part of
half a century, the large amount of South Seas material included in this early sale
indicating that he was in touch with the officers and crews of most vessels returning
from the early voyages. It is now impossible to trace with any certainty the nume-
rous lots of shells sold in 1779 ; even the catalogue itself is extremely rare, the copy
in the library of the British Museum (Natural History), acquired after much patient
enquiry, is probably unique (Sherborn, 1905, p. 262).

Principal among the many sale catalogues prepared by Humphrey during his long
career was that of the famous collection formed by Margaret Cavendish, Dowager
Duchess of Portland (i7i4?-i785), which contained the choicest specimens of corals,
shells, precious stones, and works of art obtainable, and there is no doubt that the
pick of the many novelties brought home by Byron, Wallace, Cook and Banks,
found their way to the crowded cabinets in her Whitehall mansion, and at the great
house at Bulstrode in Buckinghamshire, replete with its many grottoes and aviaries
of exotic birds, at which Banks and Solander were frequent visitors (Dewes, p. 241 ;
Dobson, p. 117). The sale of the Portland collection, comprising over 4,000 separate
lots, opened on the 24th April, 1786, and continued for the next thirty-seven days,
prices ranging from a few shillings for odd lots of shells and fossils, to £1,029 f° r tne
famous Portland Vase, the ptice de resistance of the whole collection.

Although compiled by Humphrey, the numerous non-Linnean names in the
Portland Catalogue were the work of Solander, who spent a great deal of time on the
Duchess's collection, and for this reason the catalogue must be regarded as important
in conchological literature, and of particular interest in connexion with the smaller
Banks collection.

Solander worked conjointly on the Portland, Banks, and British Museum collec-
tions, marking his manuscript descriptions, and even some of his labels, to indicate
the presence of the various species in one, two, or all three of these collections ;
and as it seldom occurs that specimens are marked for the Banks collection and not
for the Portland, it seems that the Duchess had a prior claim to species lacking in her
collection.

Items bearing the collector's name appear occasionally in the Portland Catalogue,
notably Lot 3832 (p. 178), " A very large and fine specimen of the white variety of
Ostrea Malleus L. brought by Capt. Cooke from the Coral Reef oii Endeavour River —
very rare " ; and Lot 4039 (p. 190), " A very perfect specimen of Voluta pacifica, S.
brought by Capt. Cook, from the Reef off Endeavour River, on the Coast of New Hol-
land". A few Portland specimens have come to the British Museum through the
Calonne, Tankerville and Broderip collections (Wilkins, 1953, p. 23), but no authentic
Cook or Banks shells have yet been found among them.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 77

At the Portland sale in 1786, numerous lots were purchased by an agent acting
for the French Minister of State,, the Prince of Calonne, but within eleven years
these shells, together with the rest of his collection, were sent over to England and
offered for sale in 1797. As usual, George Humphrey had the handling of the busi-
ness, for which he compiled an imposing catalogue, published anonymously, with
the title Museum Calonnianum, a work which only narrowly missed becoming
of scientific importance. Humphrey used a new method in arranging the items in
the catalogue, including a number of new genera and species ; but as no proper
definitions of these were given, his names could hardly be accepted. William
Swainson (1840, p. 15 et seq.) even went so far as to say that this catalogue, finding
its way to France, " served as the main foundation, although unacknowledged, for
the subsequent system of Bruguiere, if not of Lamarck and Cuvier". The further
deliberations of Swainson need not be repeated here, but how far he was mistaken in
his enthusiasm for an unrecognized genius may be gathered from the following
paragraph of a letter from W. H. Dall to E. A. Smith, dated ioth December 1900,
pasted into the British Museum copy of the Museum Calonnianum : "In regard to
Humphrey, I have it in his own handwriting in one of my copies that the new
genera in his catalogue were 'from a manuscript of Mr. Hvas' (Hwass) Danish Consul
in Paris who monographed the Cones for the Encyl. Meth." The main interest in
the catalogue, however, is the frequent appearance of the initials " M. P.", indicating
that items so marked had come from the Portland Museum, and were purchased for
the Prince of Calonne in 1786.

Just two years after the Calonne sale, the death ocurred of a well-known biblio-
phile and collector, the Reverend Mordaunt Cracherode (1730-1799), who bequeathed
his valuable collection of books and shells to the British Museum. Cracherode was
a man of leisure, discrimination, and ample fortune, so that his collection of shells
contained only the finest specimens obtainable, for which he paid considerable
sums of money to the redoubtable George Humphrey. From the brief outline of
the character of the " mild Cracherode " given by Edwards (1870, p. 421), he was
hardly the man to attend public auctions, and there is ample evidence from contem-
porary sources that Humphrey made considerable profits from specimens, purchased
for a few shillings and sold to his more important clients at home and abroad for as
many guineas ; but, while appreciating the great demand for South Seas material
at the time, four guineas for a pair of New Zealand Trochus (Maurea tigris (Martyn)),
one of which was polished, certainly seems exorbitant.

In all fairness to Humphrey, however, it must be admitted that the Cracherode
specimens were exceptional for this period, and a group of juvenile Spondylus ameri-
canus Hermann, the brilliantly tinted Thorny Oyster of Florida, forms one of the
choicest specimens in the British Museum collection of Spondylus to-day. Several
Cracherode shells were found to be new to science, and were described by various
authors, notably Dr. W. E.- Leach in the Zoological Miscellany 1814-1817, in which
Haliotis Cracherodii perpetuates the name of one of the last eighteenth-century
collectors.

In 1806 the great collection of Sir Ashton Lever (1739-1788), known as the Leverian
Museum, was sold by auction on the premises near Blackfriars where it had been

78 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

exhibited to the public by James Parkinson (1730-1813), who won the entire collec-
tion in a lottery promoted by Lever in 1784. Banks and Cook both presented
material to Lever's Museum, which found its way, after the sale, into the Humphrey,
Bullock, and Goodall collections. The last named has only recently appeared as a
possible source of original Banks material, for while examining a marked copy of
the sale catalogue of Bullock's London Museum (previously the Liverpool Museum),
sold by auction in 1819, the name of Dr. Goodall appeared frequently as a purchaser
of shells. As it is known from Bullock's own list of donors to his collection (1812,
p. vi) that Banks gave him specimens, this seemed a likely field for investigation,
particularly as a number of Goodall's shells are still extant in the British Museum
collection.

Dr. Joseph Goodall (1760-1840), Headmaster and later Provost of Eton, was
an enthusiastic naturalist and well-known to conchologists of the period ; his collec-
tions were sold shortly after his death in 1840, many lots being purchased for the
Museum, the shells amounting to about 840 specimens, all of which were registered
and incorporated in that year. The naming of Marginella Goodalli by Sowerby in
1825, an d Chiton Goodalli by Broderip in 1835 are indications of the high esteem
accorded to him by his contemporaries.

The Bullock Catalogue of 1819, which has been fully described elsewhere (Bowdler
Sharpe, 1906 and Mullens, 1917) , contained a large number of vernacular names, in
addition to the Latin names of Linne and Solander, and as at that time there were
often five or more vernacular names in current use for the same shell, it is obviously
difficult to decide on the modern counterpart with certainty ; but the localities given,
many from the Cook voyages, are helpful, and there is no doubt that further search
will add more to the few Goodall specimens so far considered contemporary with
the early voyages.

This account of some contemporary collections may be suitably concluded with
a brief note of a sale which took place early in 1823, composed mainly of the residue
of the collections of George Humphrey, who was said by Swainson to be the " chief
commercial conchologist of his time". This sale marked his retirement from
business and may be regarded, not only as his swan song, but as the end of an era,
for it contained the remnants of his considerable stores of early voyage material, and
it was probably the last time that the old vernacular names were used in any sale
catalogue. The collection was small, comprising only 952 lots, which were sold at
moderate prices, ten guineas for an Orange Cowry (Cypraea aurantia) being the
highest price paid for any single lot.

Solander names were still used in the catalogue, and a certain number were marked
" M.C.", being the residue of Humphrey's own purchases at the Calonne sale in 1797,
or perhaps those bought back from relatives of earlier clients ; there were numerous
New Zealand shells offered, including an Imperial Sun Trochus [Astraea heliotr opium)
from Cloudy Bay, which sold for only fourteen shillings.

The details of this last Humphrey sale were obtained from a priced copy of this
rare catalogue, autographed and presented to the Linnean Society of London by
Hugh Cuming (1791-1865), who became the foremost shell collector of the nine-
teenth century.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 79

3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND FROM THE ARRIVAL OF DR. SOLANDER
IN ENGLAND TO HIS DEATH IN 1782

The period covered briefly in this section is one in which collections of natural
history specimens increased beyond belief. The three voyages of Captain Cook
opened up vast coastlines hitherto known only vaguely as the Terra Australis Incog-
nita, from which plants and animals were brought in almost too great a profusion
to be dealt with by the few naturalists capable of the task. One of the most able
among these was Dr. Daniel Charles Solander, who accompanied Mr. Joseph Banks
on Cook's momentous first voyage round the World (1768-1771). He was born in
Norrland, Sweden, in 1736^ and received his later education at the University of
Uppsala where he took the degree of M.D., continuing his botanical studies under
Linne who looked on the young doctor as one of his most promising pupils. So great
was Linne's confidence that in 1759 he sent Solander to England with the strongest
recommendations to the well-known naturalist John Ellis, who introduced him to
many important people of the day.

This kindly attention was the result of a promise made to Linne in a long letter on
botanical and zoological matters, dated October 24th, 1758, in which Ellis gave
thanks for the gift of the first part of the Sy sterna, just received, concluding the letter
with the following paragraph : "I hear your pupil Mr. Solander intends to come to
England. Pray desire him to study English immediately, and in a month after he
comes here he will speak it fluently. I should be very glad to do him any services in
my power, as I find you have a great esteem for him " (Smith, 1821, 1, p. 108).

The recommendations of Ellis soon led to the employment of Solander at the
recently opened British Museum, in classifying and cataloguing ; by 1763 he was
given the post of assistant, becoming Assistant Keeper in 1765 and Keeper in 1773,
a position he retained for the rest of his life. Further proof of Solander's ability
was his election to the Royal Society within a comparatively few years of his arrival
in this country (7 June, 1764), and it was there that he met the youthful Banks in
1767.

These two young and ardent naturalists : Solander, the elder by a few years and
still imbued with the teaching of Linne, Banks, wealthy with his appetite for travel
sharpened by his recent voyage to Newfoundland with Phipps, were just in the mood
to join the expedition then being prepared to observe the transit of Venus from the
island of Otaheite (Tahiti) in 1769. Permission to join the vessel was soon obtained
from Banks's boyhood friend, Lord Sandwich, then First Lord of the Admiralty,
but the entire expense of the elaborate equipment for collecting, and a staff of artists
and servants, was paid for by Banks himself at a cost variously stated to be between
five and ten thousand pounds. Proof that he had no reason to regret this large
outlay from his private fortune lies in a letter describing the voyage in the " Endea-
vour," addressed to Count Lauragais, dated 6th December, 1772, quoted by Cameron
(1952, App. G., p. 319) in which Banks says : " The number of natural productions
discovered in this voyage is incredible ; about one thousand species of plants that
have not been described by any botanical author ; five hundred fishes ; as many

80 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

birds ; with insects, sea and land, innumerable." The technical description of all
the acquisitions on the voyage was allotted to Solander, who acted as paid assistant
to Banks at the generous salary of £400 per annum.

The day-to-day story of this great voyage, said by Campbell to be the prelude
to the building of the Empire in the South Seas, has been told at length in the printed
Journals of Banks (Hooker, 1896) and Cook (Wharton, 1893), from which extracts
relating to shells will appear later in this paper ; but the failure of either Banks or
Solander to publish even meagre descriptions of the completely new genera and
species " innumerable " brought back to this country in 177 1 needs some
explanation.

From the large amount of manuscript available, it is obvious that Solander was
industrious, at any rate in his earlier years, noting accurately, and with the new
Linnean precision, plants and animals seen for the first time in their living state,
doubtless with the best intention to publish the results on returning to England.
The very success of the voyage, however, gradually slowed any efforts at publication,
for Solander, being of a lively and agreeable nature, was welcomed everywhere, so
that delay has usually been attributed to " interruption caused by other avocations,
the dissipation of London Society . . . and the indolence induced by a sedentary and
luxurious life " (Smith, 1821, 2, p. 2). Correspondence was likewise neglected, and
many were the complaints of broken promises from his friend and master, Linne,
in letters to John Ellis (October to December 1771) in which the ageing savant
expressed his concern at the apparent neglect of the unique material brought back
in the " Endeavour "; and it was not until early in January 1772 that Ellis, after
repeated invitations, at last persuaded Solander to call and see him about the corals
they were to describe together. During this visit Ellis confronted Solander with all
Linne's letters imploring samples of the new plants discovered in Terra Australis,
and at last exacted a promise that he would attend to the matter without delay
(Smith, 1821, 1, p. 276).

Solander's dilatoriness was partly due to the preparations he and Banks were
making to take part in Cook's voyage in the " Resolution " to the South Pole, a
scheme that fell through, partly because of the misdirected enthusiasm of Banks in
overloading the vessel with collecting gear, and partly owing to the restrictive
practices of Sir Hugh Palliser, then Comptroller of the Admiralty (Hooker, 1896,
p. xxvii). Banks had already engaged a staff to accompany him on the voyage,
and in order that they should not be left unemployed and all the expensive equip-
ment wasted, he and Solander decided on a trip to Iceland which duly took place
during the summer of 1772.

This was the last time these now inseparable companions left England on any
expedition, although another South Seas voyage was never far from their minds.
Solander was fully engaged on his work at the Museum ; acting as secretary and
librarian to Banks (in whose house he had been " domesticated " since the return of
the " Endeavour "), and of course attending the numerous scientific and social
functions at which he and Banks were seen in each other's company almost as fre-
quently as their literary contemporaries and acquaintances, Boswell and Johnson.
Banks himself became involved in many undertakings, the morning receptions in

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 8r

the library of his handsome house in Soho Square eventually becoming the recognized
meeting place for informal discussion between visiting scientists of all nationalities.
The mass of personal correspondence, still extant in various parts of the world,
contains abundant evidence of the far-reaching influence of this imposing figure of
the eighteenth century, and it is not altogether surprising that the endless memoranda
and letters that flowed from Soho Square on such diverse subjects as the colonization
of Australia, the running of Kew Gardens, and the affairs of the Royal Mint, left
little time for the publication of scientific work, so that much of the detailed and
descriptive work on Banks's library and collections was left particularly to Solander
and, after his death, to the patient and persevering Jonas Dryander (1748-1810),
known affectionately to the quaint household at Soho Square as " Old Dry". When
it is realized that in addition to his other commitments Banks had a large estate at
Revesby in Lincolnshire, in the efficient running of which he was deeply interested,
it is remarkable that he and his helpers produced as much work as they did.

Solander published nothing independently but was largely responsible for the des-
criptions in Brander's Fossilia Hantoniensia published in 1766, and those in John
Ellis's Natural History of Zoophytes published posthumously by his daughter,
Martha Watt, in 1786, and dedicated by her to Sir Joseph Banks.

4. THE SOLANDER MANUSCRIPTS AND THEIR USE BY
SUBSEQUENT AUTHORS

Frequent reference has already been made to the Solander manuscripts, left
incomplete in 1782, and it now becomes necessary to describe these in more detail,
particularly the mollusca volumes, which are intimately connected with the Banks
shell collection.

Iredale (1916, p. 86) neatly describes the manuscripts as follows : " In the British
Museum (Natural History) is kept a cabinet containing Solander's manuscripts,
received with Sir Joseph Banks's collections, and from a glance over these it may be
suggested that he hoped to publish a Survey of Natural History, comparable to
Linne's Systema Naturae, but on an even more extensive and accurate scale than
Gmelin's edition as well as more replete with personal knowledge. A very large
quantity of manuscript deals with mollusca, which appear to have been a favourite
study of his since he collected them on his voyages." The manuscripts consist of
hundreds of slips, six inches wide by four inches deep, now bound in twenty-seven
volumes, of which fourteen deal with the mollusca. These slips, arranged in accord-
ance with the Twelfth Edition of the Systema Naturae were originally stored loose in
small Solander boxes, to facilitate the frequent additions and alterations made
over a period of years ; twenty-four similar volumes of botanical manuscripts which
formed the basis of Aiton's Hortus Kewensis, are also in existence.

As already stated these manuscripts contained many new names of plants and
animals, for apart from the specimens collected during Cook's voyages and other
sources, Solander re-described much of the earlier Museum material, mainly from
the Sloane collection, using the binominal nomenclature of Linne, so that a number

82 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

of the manuscript volumes, particularly of insects and mollusca, are literally cata-
logues of the British Museum collections shortly after it was opened in 1759.

The mollusca slips are generally marked with initials, indicating in which collection
examples of the species described were to be found, usually in the following order :
M.C.P. (M. Cavendish Portland) ; J.B. (Joseph Banks), and M.B. (British Museum),
sometimes all three appearing on the same slip. The localities given for species
collected personally by Banks and Solander are often followed by the additional
initials J.B. or D.S.

The publication of Solander's work would have considerably altered the molluscan
nomenclature we know to-day. For instance, the well-known New Zealand lamelli-
branch, Chione stutchburii, named and figured by Wood in 1828, would have received
Solander's specific name antiquata* fully described by him from specimens now
extant in the Banks collection; similarly the North Australian and Queensland
Batissa triquetra, described by Deshayes from Australian specimens in the Cuming
collection in 1854, would be the erosa of Solander, labelled Nova Cambria (fig. 10).
While realizing the futility of reflecting on the might-have-been, it is still a matter
for regret that Solander's work remained unpublished in Sir Joseph Banks's library,
for as already noted, it would have been more extensive and accurate than the Thir-
teenth Edition of the Systema Naturae, eventually published by J. F. Gmelin (1788 to
1793), a work that contained sufficient errors and repetitions to indicate that the
author lacked Solander's practical experience and gift for concise description.

All the molluscan slips are in Solander's writing, and were evidently written at
different periods, some neatly, others hurriedly, with a fair number of alterations
and additions. The slips are numbered consecutively, as in the Twelfth Edition of
the Systema, one to each species, varieties being noted overleaf. Descriptions of
Solander's new species were numbered according to the approximate position they
would occupy in the completed revision ; thus the description of a new species of
Venus is marked 115-116, indicating that it was to be placed between the Linnean
Venus dysera (115) and Venus verrucosa (116), the latter presumably becoming 117
in the final renumbering of the slips. Incidentally, this particular slip was first
marked 93-94, the numbers given to these two species in the Tenth Edition of 1758,
from which it would appear that Solander's revision must have been started before
the publication of the Twelfth Edition of the Systema Naturae in 1766.

References are given on the slips to Linne's Systema and Mantissa, and to figures
and descriptions in the works of Lister, Petiver, Sloane, Kircher, Klein, Martini
and other contemporary authors on which some of Solander's names were based. In
some volumes pencilled observations made during the voyage of the " Endeavour,"
sometimes on the backs of old lists of Tahitian words and phrases, have been inserted
here and there. A slip in one of the volumes of Pisces is of particular interest, for it
records descriptions of certain fish, dictated to Solander by Omai, the native of
Tahiti brought to England by Captain Furneaux in the " Adventure," sister ship
to Cook's " Resolution," in 1774.

Before concluding this section with brief references to the authors who have used
or referred to the Solander manuscripts, it may be of interest to list the contents of

* Nomen nudum, Portland Catalogue, Lots 1562 and 2253.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

83

the " mollusca " volumes, previously unrecorded. These are numbered 1 to 14,
and were bound in the same order as in the original Solander boxes.

Vol.

1-

—Doris

>>

2-

—Chiton
Balanus
Lepas
Pholas
Mya
Solen

>>

3--

—Tellina
Cardium
Mactra
Donax

>>

4-

— Venus

Vol. 5. — Spondylus

Chama

Area
„ 6. — Ostrea
Vol. 7. — Anomia

Mytilus

Pinna

Argonauta

Nautilus
„ 8. — Conus
„ 9. — Cypraea and Bulla
„ 10. — Voluta

Vol. 11.— Voluta
„ 12. — Buccinum
„ 13. — Buccinum
Strombus
Murex
Trochus

Vol. 14. — Turbo
Helix
Nerita
Patella
Dentalium
Haliotis
Serpula
Teredo

Most of the genera in volume 14 have only a title slip giving the general characters
of the genus with one or two species. From volume 10 to 13, specimens are marked
only from the Portland collection, no further reference being made to the Banks or
British Museum collections. The genus Murex was never completed, and the only
species noted are those taken from Brander's Fossilia Hantoniensia, a fact that
accounts for the considerable number of unnamed Murex in the seventh drawer of
the Banks collection noted above (p. 73).

The Solander manuscripts appear to have been always available to workers,
first in the library of Sir Joseph Banks, and later in the British Museum, so that a
number of authors have used and referred to them from time to time, commencing
with George Humphrey in 1785-86, who used them extensively when compiling the
Portland Catalogue, and again in 1797, when he compiled the Museum Calonneanum,
a collection that contained much of the Portland material named by Solander.
In the preface to the Calonne catalogue (p.v.) Humphrey states that " The Linnean
name of each species, where it could be ascertained, or was not too indelicate, is
annexed . . . and those of the late Dr. Solander, from an unpublished MS of his,
descriptive of the shells in the Portland Cabinet".

Richard Pulteney frequently referred to Solander's names and to specimens in
the Portland Cabinet when compiling his Catalogue of the Shells of Dorset in 1799.
Pulteney was in constant touch with the Duchess for many years, for she relied much
on his judgment regarding' British species, of which she had many unique specimens
from the Weymouth and Portland districts of Dorsetshire. Gastrochaena dubia,
the Mya dubius of Pennant, described by him in 1777 (p. 69) was said by Pulteney
to have been " first distinguished by the late dowager duchess of Portland at Way-
mouth ".

In 1804 Dr. William Maton and the Rev. Thomas Rackett together published a

84 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Descriptive Catalogue of the British Testacea in Volume VIII of the Linnean Trans-
actions. This was a retrogressive work, mainly because of too strict an adherence
to the Linnean method. Accordingly, on page 22 of their paper, the authors state
that " Differently from the method pursued by some modern authors, who have
followed Dr. Solander's original suggestion, we prefer retaining the Linnean genus
Lepas undivided ". Nor did they agree with the separation of the pectinated species
from the Linnean genus Ostrea, to form the separate and clearly defined genus
Pecten. This obstinate attitude to progress is all the more remarkable since Mat on
and Rackett's paper was not read at the Linnean Society until some months after the
publication of Montagu's Testacea Britannica in September 1803, which contained
several logical improvements on the older classifications, so that their paper was,
in some respects, out of date even before it appeared in print.

In 1808 Montagu followed his previous work with a Supplement, with additional
plates, and a reprint of Boys and Walker's Minute and Rare Shells of Sandwich,
originally published in 1784, dedicated to the Duchess of Portland and Sir Joseph
Banks. This Supplement becomes of added interest to the period under review,
when it is learnt from the Introduction (p. ii) that apart from possessing the complete
cabinet of William Boys's Testacea minuta rariora, which contained specimens
labelled by Solander, Montagu also had the opportunity of examining an additional
collection, also labelled by Solander, lent to him by Captain Laskey, who had pur-
chased it at the Portland sale in 1786 for the modest sum of one guinea. (Lot 3088.
A curious collection of minute Shells from the English Coast, including most of the
new species figured by Walker in his Account of Minute Shells discovered at Sandwich,
with a MSS. catalogue). Montagu was thus able to compare many of Solander's
names printed in the Portland Catalogue with all the original material.

The next work directly associated with the Solander manuscripts to be noted
is A Descriptive Catalogue of Recent Shells, compiled by L. W. Dillwyn in 1817 and
" arranged according to the Linnean method, with particular attention to the
Synonymy". This work, dedicated to Banks, is stated by the author to be " an
attempt to elucidate the species of shells described in Gmelin's edition of the Systema
Naturae, and to pave the way for a better arrangement " ; but how far Dillwyn
succeeded in his object can best be judged from the critical notes on conchological
writers contained in Turton's Conchological Dictionary (1819, pp. xii-xv), in which he
speaks severely of Dillwyn's work at some length. He says inter alia that it offered
nothing more than a collation of different authorities, and that " Of the celebrated
manuscripts left by Dr. Solander, we learn little more than what we have long
known from the Portland and Calonnian catalogues". At this distance of time,
however, Dillwyn's two volumes are of value, not only for the very full synonymies,
but as the medium which validated some of Solander's names.

It is difficult to understand why Dillwyn did not make use of the Banks collection
when compiling his extensive catalogue ; had he done so, many errors in identifying
Solander's species would have been avoided. He had the full use of Banks's library,
without which " no writer on Natural History can hope to attain any tolerable
degree of perfection " (Advertisement, p. vi) ; and it is strange that he did not
realize the significance of the frequently recurring initials "J.B." throughout the

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 85

manuscripts he examined so closely. Enquiries into the meaning of these initials
would have had little result at this date (c. 1817), for the erudite Dryander was long
since dead, and one feels that Banks himself would remember little of the work that
was so personal to Solander. But the collection itself (at that time already in the
Museum of the Linnean Society) could surely have been examined by a sufficiently
tenacious Fellow, when the connexion between initials, manuscripts and collection
would have become as obvious as it is to-day.

Dillwyn's only other conchological work was the important English Index to Martin
Lister's Historia Conchyliorum (1685-97), published at Oxford in 1823, which was a
vast improvement on the inadequate index provided by William Huddesford, in
his 1777 edition of Lister's great work. In his Occasional Remarks Dillwyn again
quotes the Solander manuscripts, taking the opportunity to correct several errors
in his own Descriptive Catalogue of 1817, and on page 16 of the Lister Index he casually
refers to a specimen he bought from Mr. Humphrey, " whose shells are often sold
under Solander's names ' ' — a chance remark that explains the origin of the many
Solander names used by Hwass, Bruguiere and other continental authors, apart from
those culled direct from the Portland Catalogue.

Dillwyn's apparent indifference leaves William Swainson as the only author
so far known to have actually used the Banks collection, during its sojourn of nearly
half a century in the Museum of the Linnean Society, when working on the first
series of his Zoological Illustrations, completed in 1823. In this same year, Edward
Donovan, a more elderly, but equally prolific compiler, started to publish the first
of his five volumes of The Naturalist's Repository, in the conchological portions of
which he referred frequently to the Solander manuscripts, making it again clear
that they have always been available to students. When describing a variety of
Voluta scapha Gmelin, in the text to plate iv, Donovan states that " The late
Dr. Solander, as it appears from his manuscripts preserved in the library of the late
worthy President of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks, Bart, had designated this
kind of Voluta by the name of Nobilis .... It is however certain, that it is no other
than a variety of Voluta Scapha of the Linnean school. ... As a variety we admit
this shell to be distinct and well defined, and it is under this persuasion the term
Nobilis, assigned by Dr. Solander, is subjoined to the specific name Voluta Scapha."
Further on, in the text to plate xxxiv, referring to Terebratula sanguinea, he notes
that " This is one among the number of those very choice accessions to conchological
knowledge of the last century, that was derived from the scientific labours of our
first circumnavigators in the Southern Ocean ; it occurred to them upon the coast
of New Zealand ... so far plentifully that after the Banksian cabinet was supplied
there were several specimens to spare for distribution among the friends of Sir
Joseph Banks, Dr. Solander, and Captain Cook. From this little store the species
passed in the first instance into several collections, and among others into that
of the late Duchess of Portland, Dr. Chauncey, Mr. Cracherode, Mr. G. Humphrey
and some others." Donovan seemed rather hurt with Leach, who described this
species as Terebratula sanguinea in 1814 (vol. 1, p. 14.) without due acknowledgment,
and took some pains to show that the name originated with Solander, where it
stands in his manuscript as Anomia sanguinea.

HIST. I, 3. 6

86 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

The description of this species in Solander's manuscript is followed by the name
of Forster, so it appears that specimens were brought back from Cook's second
voyage in 1775, and one of these, the Cracherode shell figured by Leach, is still extant
in the British Museum collection of Brachiopods.

The manuscripts were consulted again in 1825 by W. J. Broderip, when G. B.
Sowerby was compiling the sale catalogue of the famous Tankerville collection,
which contained a number of specimens from the earlier Portland and Calonne sales,
and it was for item No. 2150 that the following descriptions were printed in the
Appendix to the Tankerville catalogue (pp. xxix-xxx).

2150. Voluta Aulica, Solander

Observations. There can be no reason to doubt this being the identical specimen
which was described by Dr. Solander from the Portland collection. As any informa-
tion relating to the history of so beautiful and rare a shell may be interesting to our
readers, we copy Dr. Solander's description, which has been communicated to us by
W. J. Broderip, Esq., from the MS. in the late Sir Joseph Banks's library, together
with the notices relating to it from the catalogue of the Calonne collection.

I. From Dr. Solander's MS.

Spira apice mammillari

Aulica. Voluta emarginata, oblonga, inermis, albo luteoque nebulosa, spira conicd ; anfractibus
obliqub planis : mamilld laevi ; columella quadruplicata. Habitat in Oceano I.
M.C.P.

II. From the Catalogue of the Portland Collection

4021. A very fine specimen of Voluta Aulica, S., a beautiful red clouded species of the Wild
Music kind, its country unknown, unique.

III. From the Catalogue of the Calonne Collection

273. Aulica — le Courtisan ou le Nuage rouge — Courtier or red clouded — -Voluta aulica, Soland.
This beautiful shell is unique. Its country is unknown, but presumed to be from some
newly discovered island in the South Seas. M.P. 4021 .

This historic type specimen was purchased at the Tankerville sale by W. J. Brode-
rip, and came to the British Museum with his collection, purchased in 1837. It was
first figured in the Tankerville Catalogue in 1825, and later by Wood (1828), Sowerby
(1847), and Reeve (1849).

No further reference to the Solander manuscripts appears to have been made by
authors until 1855, when Sylvanus Hanley at last published the results of his work
on the Linnean shell collection, in the introduction to which (pp. 7-8) he quotes the
three interleaved copies of the Systema Naturae in the library of the Linnean Society,
used by him in elucidating the " more ambiguous " species, the third of which was
" the one possessed (ed. 12) by the ill-fated son of Linnaeus, which is identical, or
nearly so, with the manuscript of Solander, the esteemed conchological pupil of the
great master". A recent examination of this third copy (unpublished), certainly

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 87

indicates that the younger Linne added several of Solander's names, particularly
to the genus Venus which was increased by at least twenty species in the interleaved
copy ; the additional names include Venus turgida, arguta, rubescens and rigida, all
Solander names to be found in the manuscripts, the actual specimens in the Banks or
Portland collections.

It seems fairly certain from the above that Solander may have shown the speci-
mens and descriptions to the younger Linne while he was visiting England during
1781 and 1782, spending much of his time studying in Banks's house. He was among
the first to go for extra medical aid when Solander had his fatal seizure on the morning
of 16th May, 1782 (Hooker, 1896, p. xlii).

Hanley again mentions the manuscripts in the list of references to his revised
edition of Wood's Index Testaceologicus, published in 1856, noting on p. xix that
they were " quoted chiefly by Dillwyn, but also evidently studied by Hwass and
Bruguiere. Although not printed, several copies have been taken ". The reference
to Dillwyn is correct, but no evidence in support of the rest of his statement has been
forthcoming, unless the Portland Catalogue is one of the " copies " referred to ; for
a number of Solander names were certainly used without acknowledgment by Hwass
and Bruguiere, notably Conus augur, nocturnus, quercinus and sulcatus (see p. 85
above) .

Hanley uses many of the Solander names taken up by Dillwyn in the text of his
revised edition of Wood's Index, but few references were made to them in his previous
work on the Linnean shells, and it seems odd that he did not make more use of the
actual manuscripts of the former pupil of Linne when facing the many problems that
arose. The Banks shell collection appears to have been unknown to him, although
at that time (c. 1850) it must have been housed in the same building as the collection
on which he was working. Swainson, as already stated, used it thirty years before,
but judging by the remarks of Gage (1938, p. 124), the " heterogenous mass of
material " stored in the rooms of the Linnean Society was not available for study.
Had Hanley been able to locate and examine the Banks collection, then probably
complete, it would have simplified his self-appointed task, for it contained specimens
contributed by some of the same collectors that supplied the Linnean cabinet.

Since 1856, notes and lists of Solander's names from the Portland Catalogue have
been published, notably by Iredale (1916), and by Dall (192 1), in which it was
proposed that certain names could be accepted if originally accompanied by the
citation of figures in the literature, so that a few specimens in the Banks collection,
described in manuscript by Solander, and later published in the Portland Catalogue
with reference to a figure, may be regarded as type specimens.

For example, the Venus nimbosa S. of the Portland Catalogue (Lot 3761, p. 175)
from Florida, referred to the figure of Favanne (tab. 49, fig. 1, I, 1780), is part of
the type set marked by Solander with the locator initials M.C.P., J.B., and M.B.
The two Banks specimens (fig. 16 and 16 a, b) are therefore original syntypes, the
Lectotype designated on p. no superseding the Neotype designated by Clench (1942,
p. 5) 1 who follows Dall (1902, p. 351) in accepting the Solander name in preference

1 Provisions for replacing Neotypes with recently recovered type material have lately been pro-
posed in the Copenhagen Decisions on Zoological Nomenclature, 1953, Part 2, p. 31, para. 40.

88 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

to the Venus gigantea Gmelin, 1791. It should be noted, however, that for Solander's
Venus nimbosa, there was no reference to a figure in his original manuscript descrip-
tion (reproduced in fig. 17), thus confirming that this and other references were
added by the anonymous compiler of the Portland Catalogue, in accordance with a
statement printed at the foot of the List of References (pp. v-vi) to the effect that
" Where the Name has no reference, it was given by the Compiler of this Catalogue ".
As it is known on the published authority of Dillwyn (1817, p. 117 and 1823, P- 5)
that the compiler was, in fact, George Humphrey, the latter may be regarded as the
first publisher of the names used therein, whether Solander's or his own.

This view has already been accepted by some recent authors, notably Rehder
(in Rogers, 1951), who prints a number of Portland names, unreservedly attributed
to Humphrey, in his List of Modern Names in the Second edition of The Shell Book
(pp. 487-503), where, needless to say, Macrocallista nimbosa [Humphrey] replaces
Callista gigantea (Gmelin) of the first edition.

The latest references to the Solander period are contained in an historical review
of the Linnean molluscs (Dodge, 1952 and 1953), to which further reference will be
made below.

5. CONTRIBUTORS TO THE COLLECTION

Unlike the shell collection of Sir Hans Sloane (Wilkins, 1953&), there was no sepa-
rate catalogue of the Banks collection, all the available information being recorded
on the labels or in the Solander manuscripts, which were intended to include descrip-
tions of all the species of shells then known, irrespective of ownership ; but as already
shown above, the three main collections from which they were recorded are duly
noted. Sometimes, the name of the actual collector or donor was also included,
but not in any way so consistently as in the Sloane catalogues. Many of the speci-
mens were collected by Banks and Solander themselves, so that the few additional
contributors can all be mentioned briefly below.

Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, Dowager Duchess of Portland (i7i4?-i785),
nee Harley ; married the Second Duke (1708-1762) in 1734. For many years she
was the leading patroness of natural history in England, and particularly devoted
to conchology. Her exotic shells and corals were worked on by Solander and Ellis,
and the British shells by Pennant and Pulteney. Sir Hans Sloane (in his later years) ,
Wallace, Cook, Banks and many other early voyagers contributed to the collection
sold in 1786, the year following her death. The few British shells in the Banks
collection were evidently given to him by the Duchess.

Admiral Sir Edward Hughes (1720-1794). Saw service in the East Indies from
1773 to 1777, and again from 1778 to 1783 ; co-operated in the capture of Negapatam
from the Dutch during 178 1, and Trincomali in the following year ; made Admiral
of the Blue in 1793.

Commodore The Hon. John Byron (1723-1786). Navigator ; grandfather of
the poet Byron ; commanded the Dolphin and Tamar during an abortive attempt
to find a strait between Hudson's Bay and the South Sea (1764-66) ; became Governor

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 89

of Newfoundland (1769) and Rear Admiral (1775). Commanded the West Indies
fleet 1778-9 ; worsted off Granada (1779).

Johann Gerhard Koenig (1728-1785). Danish medical missionary in Tran-
quebar ; former pupil of Linne ; kept detailed lists of plants, animals and minerals
observed during his voyages, eventually bequeathed them to Banks (Banks MSS
37-55)- Koenig also sent numerous East Indian plants to Banks in 1776, together
with some shells, still extant and bearing his name on the labels.

Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803). Diplomat and archaeologist ; ambassador
at the Court of Naples for many years during which he published descriptions of
volcanoes and earthquakes ; purchased the famous Portland Vase from Byres,
the architect ; married Emma Hart in 1791 ; entertained Lord Nelson at Naples in
1798. Sent shells to Banks from the Bay of Naples.

Captain Tobias Furneaux (1735-1781). Circumnavigator ; second lieutenant
of the " Dolphin " which sailed with Wallaee 1766-68 ; commanded the " Adven-
ture ' ' on Cook's second voyage 1772-1775 ; visited Tasmania during separation
from the " Resolution," returning to England in 1774 with Omai, the first South
Sea islander to be seen in this country. Brought shells to Banks from the Pacific.

Captain The Hon. Constantine Phipps, Second Baron Mulgrave (1744-1792).
Oxford friend of Banks, who accompanied him on a voyage to Labrador and New-
foundland in H.M.S. " Niger," April to November, 1766 ; commanded the " Race-
horse " on the Polar Expedition of 1773, in which vessel Horatio Nelson served as
midshipman. Appointed a Lord of the Admiralty 1777 ; distinguished himself off
Ushant in 1778 while in command of the " Courageux."

Henry Smeathman (fl. 1750-1781). Botanist and entomologist, engaged by
Banks, Fothergill and Drury in 1771 to collect specimens from the west coast of
Africa ; sent home many new species of plants, insects and shells from Sierra Leone ;
wrote the first detailed account of the Termites of Guinea ; started a scheme for a
settlement of Poor Blacks near Sierra Leone, but died before this was accomplished.
The Passion Flower Smeathmannia was named after him (see also Fox, 1919, p. 213).

Johann Georg Forster (1754-1794). Naturalist and artist, son of Reinhold
Forster, with whom he came to England in 1766 ; assisted his father as naturalist on
Cook's second voyage (1772-5); elected F.R.S. in 1775 for his work on the South
Seas flora ; prematurely published an account of the voyage in 1777 in opposition to
the official one by Cook which appeared a few weeks after. Generously paid by
Banks, but caused much unpleasantness by further demands for money. On his
return to Germany, J. G. Forster was appointed professor of natural history at Wilna,
and later librarian at Mainz.

Note : — The names of the occasional contributors listed above do not necessarily
appear in the following descriptive catalogue, for the specimens added by them to the
Banks collection were in some instances included among the missing shells presumed
to have been sold in 1863.

go THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

|

6. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Introduction

In his recent biography of Banks, Dr. H. C. Cameron concludes his acknowledg-
ments with a remark which is singularly apposite to the material described in the
following catalogue, when he says that " The trail of Captain Cook has been explored
so thoroughly and by so many, and the trail of Banks is so faint and overgrown, that
in either case the discovery of anything that has been overlooked or forgotten
brings with it, perhaps, a disproportionate degree of satisfaction ". This feeling was
certainly experienced during the examination of the forgotten Banks collection,
but it eventually gave place to the conviction that any satisfaction felt in recording
so many specimens of shells, collected by two of the principals in the voyage of
the " Endeavour," will not be out of proportion to the amount of interest aroused,
not only among conchologists, but also among students of the earlier voyages.

Some doubt has been felt about the best method to be employed in compiling this
catalogue, for it is almost certain that the surviving portion of the collection stands
as it was left by Dr. Solander in 1782, and it would have been appropriate for the
cataloguing to proceed drawer by drawer in the original order, preserving his number-
ing of the specimens on the labels, with the addition of the names by which they are
known to-day. This method, however, while serving to illustrate the numerous
improvements made by Lamarck and later authors to the polyglot genera of Linne,
would be rather too cumbersome, and it seemed more useful to group the specimens
geographically. Current names of the genera and species found in the collection,
and known to occur in the given localities, will be placed on the left of the pages, in
bold type, with selected details from the Solander labels and manuscripts on the right-
hand side, three dashes indicating that the label is blank or missing.

Sixty-one manuscript names occur on the labels in the Banks collection ; thirty-
three of these were printed by Dillwyn (1817), either as authentic species or as
synonyms ; fourteen names unrecognized by him are among the many nomina nuda
printed in the Portland Catalogue (1786), and an equal number remain in manuscript.
As it is now known to which species most of these nomina nuda and manuscript
names apply, the danger of needlessly adding to already overcrowded synonymies
is fully realized, and therefore, with very few exceptions, only the names used by
Dillwyn are included in the following lists, three asterisks indicating that the original
Solander name has been purposely omitted.

The localities on the original labels are frequently abbreviated, and must be taken
in the broadest sense, for it will be remembered that New Holland, the name given
by the Dutch to the North West coast of Australia, was in general use in Solander's
day and even much later ; the East coast, first charted by Cook in 1770, was for a
time known as New Wales, the Latinized Nova Cambria of the Solander labels and
manuscripts. According to Wharton (1893, p. x), the name New South Wales
was not bestowed without a great deal of consideration ; at one stage New Wales
was the name fixed upon, and in one of the three copies of Cook's Journal, it is

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 91

so called throughout. Similarly New South Wales does not occur on any of Solander's
labels, or in his manuscripts ; Nova Cambria, or the abbreviation N.C. being used
throughout. Accordingly, the localities New Holland (N.H.), and Nova Cambria
(N.C.) are used somewhat indiscriminately, all referring to the progress of the
"Endeavour" along the east coast of Australia, from just below the present Cape
Howe to Possession Island where Cook " once more hoisted English colours, and in
the name of His Majesty King George the Third, took possession of the whole Eastern
coast ... by the name of New Wales, together with all the Bays, Harbours, Rivers,
and Islands situated upon the said coast " [Journal, 22nd August, 1770).

Cook is known to have been reticent about his names for newly discovered places,
and consequently Solander may have jotted down the " N.H. " on his rough labels
prior to Cook's announcement quoted above. In his own Journal, when summing-up
the results of the exploration of the East coast, Banks heads his chapter " Some
account of that part of New Holland now called New South Wales ", and this seems
to confirm that the name was finally agreed upon shortly before leaving Australia
on 26th August, 1770.

The Banks shell collection falls naturally into two groups, and will therefore be
catalogued in two parts : (1) specimens collected from classic localities visited by the
"Endeavour" from 1768 to 1771, and (2) specimens given to Banks from various
localities up to the year 1782. All the shells have been identified, including those
numbered but unnamed by Solander, and these will all appear in the catalogue.

Nomenclature used throughout is based mainly on Thiele's Handbuch (1931-35) ;
the papers of Iredale (1935 and 1939^) and Schilder & Schilder (1938) have been
consulted for records of Cypraeidae, and Allen's Australian Shells (1950) for the general
distribution of Australian species. The author alone is responsible for the identifi-
cations.

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE PART I

Shells from localities visited by the " Endeavour," 1768-177 1

Rio de Janeiro

Cook and his party arrived here on Monday, 14th November, 1768 in " fine,
pleasant weather ", but great was the disappointment to Banks and Solander when
it was learned that only the Captain and a few men would be allowed ashore to pur-
chase supplies, and then only under strict surveillance, for doubt was expressed by
the Portuguese Viceroy as to the true character of the " Endeavour."

Banks however was not to be deterred by this veto, and managed to get ashore
before dawn one morning and stayed until " dark night ", having noted many of the
plants and animals of a country thought by him to have been unvisited by even
"tolerably curious " persons since the visit of Marcgrav and Piso in 1640 (Journal,
p. 28).

It is unlikely that Banks stayed long in sight on the beach during this surreptitious
visit ashore, so the few Brazilian shells in the collection, some labelled " Rio Janeiro,"

92

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

were probably taken from the island of Raza, beyond the Fort of Santa Cruz, where
the best part of a day was spent in collecting, unmolested by the Viceroy's men.

Cerithium atratum (Born)
Cypraea cinerea Gmelin. Juveniles
Cyphoma gibbosa (Linne)
Leucozonia brasiliana d'Orbigny.
Cymatium parthenopeus (von Salis)
Aulacomya ovalis (Lamarck) .
Modiolus falcatus (d'Orbigny)
Modiolus guanensis (d'Orbigny)
Pinctada vulgaris (Schumacher)
Pteria argentea (Reeve) .
Macrocallista maculata (Linne)

Tivela mactroides (Born)
Tivela trigonella (Lamarck)

Dosinia concentrica (Born)

Ventricola rigida (Dillwyn)
Lectotype (plate 19, figs. 23 and 24)

Cypraea bifasciata Sol. MSS.
Bulla gibbosa L.
Rio Janeiro.

Venus maculata L. Rio Janeiro,
Brasil. J. B. vars. a, b, c, d.

Venus. * * *

Brasil.

Venus dilatata Sol. MSS.

Rio Janeiro. J.B., D.S.

Venus rigida Sol. MSS.
Rio de Janeiro.

Dillwyn, Descriptive Catalogue of Shells {Venus), pp. 164-5, 1817.

Length
53 mm -

Heighl
49 mm.

Dimensions of Lectotype .

Type locality : Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Thickness.
38 mm.

Anomalocardia fiexuosa (Linne)

(fig. 20, a, b, c)
Atactodea striata (Gmelin)

Venus Phryne L.
Rio Janeiro.
Rio Janeiro.

Apart from the specimen designated as the Lectotype of V. rigida (Dillwyn),
other Rio de Janeiro shells of particular interest are the four specimens of Anomalo-
cardia, first identified by Solander as Venus fiexuosa, but afterwards altered on the
label and in the manuscript description to Venus Phryne, a Linnean species decided
by Hanley (1855, p. 171) and more recently by Dodge (1952, p. 102), to be inade-
quately described by Linne and therefore a doubtful species. The combined evid-
ence furnished by actual named specimens, further correlated with the critical notes
of Dodge and Hanley, suggests that the Linnean specimen selected and figured by
Hanley (pi. iv, f. 1.) as the Venus fiexuosa Linne, may be none other than the type of
Venus Phryne.

There is little doubt from all the available data that both Linne and Solander
failed at first to realize the extreme variability of the shells they were describing,
for an adequate series of A . fiexuosa may vary in colour from pale yellowish-white to
olive or chestnut brown, with or without the pronounced anterior beak of the shell
seen in some examples, but the violet veining of the posterior depression, mentioned
by Linn6 in his original description of Venus Phryne, is usually present. It was

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 93

apparently only some time after his first description of Venus flexuosa (based on an
immature or intermediate stage, and marked M.B. in his manuscript), that Solander
appreciated the affinity between his V. flexuosa and Linne's V. Phryne, altered his
second description accordingly, and added three colour varieties, two in the Banks
collection (Fig. 20, a, b,) and one in the Portland.

On the reverse of his slip describing these varieties Solander noted that " the colour
is either brown or yellowish, and the beak in different shells is more or less produced ",
a note that does more than anything else to show that the variation in shape and
colour of the shell labelled Venus Phryne by Solander is identical with the range
noted for the Anomalocardia flexuosa of recent authors. In conclusion, it should be
noted that the specimen pronounced by Hanley to be the type of Venus flexuosa,
was not actually marked with that name in the Linnean collection, for he says
(1855, p. 67) : " I can find but a single shell in the whole Linnean collection that
possesses the required characteristics of this species," an admission overlooked by
Dodge (1952, p. 97), who refers to the " marked specimen found in the collection " ;
furthermore, it seems unlikely that Linne ever possessed a specimen of Solander's
V. flexuosa, for the original description was supplied to him by Solander and is duly
acknowledged in the text of the Twelfth Edition of the Systema Naturae (1131, 121),
where the species was first described, with augmented diagnosis and with the
locality " in Indiis ", instead of the more explicit " Oceano Atlantico prope Insulam
Adscensionis " of Solander's earlier manuscript, marked "M.B." and probably
described from a specimen in the series of shells from the Island of Ascension, known
to have been in the Sloane collection.

TlERRA DEL FUEGO

On the 20th January, 1769, Banks and his party explored the beaches of this
desolate place, and the results were recorded in his Journal as follows : "This
morning was very fine, so much so that we landed without difficulty at the bottom
of the bay and spent our time very much to our satisfaction in collecting shells and
plants. Of the former we found some very scarce and fine, particularly limpets ;
of several species of these we observed (as well as the shortness of our time would
permit) that the limpet with a longish hole at the top of his shell is inhabited by an
animal very different from that which has no hole. Here were also some fine whelks,
one particularly with a long tooth, and an infinite variety of Lepades, Sertulariae,
Onisci, etc., in much greater variety than I have anywhere seen. But the shortness
of our time would not allow us to examine them, so we were obliged to content
ourselves with taking specimens of as many of them as we could in so short a time
scrape together ". Later in the same day Banks remarks that they saw few fish fit
to eat, but " shell-fish, however, are in the greatest abundance, limpets, mussels,
clams, etc., but none of them delicate, yet such as they were we did not despise
them " {Journal, pp. 55 and 57).

Banks was quite correct in his observation of the animal inhabiting the " limpet
with a longish hole at the top of his shell " (Fissurella picta Lamarck), for the tufted
mantle margins and apical opening of the Fissurellidae are far more striking than the

94

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

simpler animals and imperforate shells of the Patellidae. The whelk with the long
tooth was undoubtedly Acanthina ccdcar (Martyn) — the Buccinum monodon of
Solander's manuscript and the Portland Catalogue (Lots 372 and 3093, both from
Tierra del Fuego) — in which the compiler refers the species to Martyn's figure 100.
The tooth referred to is a projection on the outer Up of the shell (similar to that found
in many of the Muricidae) said to assist these predatory molluscs to open the shells
of lamellibranchs.

Fortunately the two shells particularly mentioned by Banks are still in the
collection, but unlabelled, and the " Mussels and Clams " are also well represented
among the specimens from Tierra del Fuego listed below.

Fissurella picta Lamarck
Acanthina calcar (Martyn)

Buccinulum antarcticum Reeve
Trophon philippianus Dunker
Aulacomya ovalis (Lamarck)
Mytilus chorus Molina .
Mytilus edulis Linn£
Modiolarca trapezina (Lamarck)

Marcia exalbida (Dillwyn)

Buccinum monodon Sol. MSS.
Terra del Fuego.

T. del Fuego.

Terra del Fuego.
Mytilus gibbus Sol. MSS.
T. de F. J.B.
Venus. * * *
Terra del Fuego.

The Tierra del Fuego specimens are characteristic of the locality and call for little
remark ; the large Mytilus chorus polishes remarkably well, and its fine purple and
mauve tinted valves adorned most of the older collections. From Solander's manu-
script description the large Marcia exalbida was extremely common, and must have
been principal among the clams said by Banks to be in great abundance, and not
to be despised as food.

Otaheite (Tahiti)

The stay at Tahiti was a long one (13th April to 12th July, 1769), with ample
opportunity for collecting, but little information regarding shells was given by
Banks or Cook in their Journals, for their time was much taken up by preparations
for observing the transit of Venus, and studying the manners and customs of the
people. The few representative species of shells in the collection show once again
that the larger and more attractive shells were probably gathered by others, for
there is no shortage of specimens from Otaheite in the catalogues of the period.

One interesting reference to the mollusca is recorded by Banks, for on the 30th
May, 1769, he notes : " Carpenters employed to-day in repairing the long-boat, which
is eaten in a wonderful manner ; every part of her bottom is like a honey-comb,
some of the holes being an eighth of an inch in diameter, such progress has this des-
tructive insect made in six weeks ". Banks was of course referring to the ravages of
a species of Ship Worm (Teredo), an enemy dreaded by the early voyagers, whose
vessels were constructed almost entirely of wood. No Banks specimens of this
Teredo are available, but Pacific species are known to be particularly active from
April to October (Ricketts & Calvin, 1948, p. 252).

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

95

Shells of the Conidae form the bulk of the following list of Tahiti shells, several
of which were described for the first time by Solander in manuscript, and later
adopted by Bruguiere from the Portland Catalogue or from named specimens
purchased from Humphrey.

Modiolus auriculatus Krauss .

Modiolus metcalfei Hanley

Chlamys pallium (Linn6)

Amphiperas tortilis (Martyn) .
(= costellata Lamarck)

Mytilus modiolus

Otaheite.

Mytilus modiolus

Otaheite.

Ostrea pallium.

Otaheite.

Bulla imperialis Sol. MSS.

Otaheite.

Dillwyn (1817, p. 473) gave priority to Solander's manuscript name, first printed
in the Portland Catalogue (Lot 3391. Bulla imperialis, or pink mouth'd poached
egg, from the Friendly Isles), but this cannot be accepted, as no reference was given
to a figure. This species is the Cypraea tortilis figured by Martyn (1788, t. 60),
also from the Friendly Isles and included in Dillwyn's synonomy.

Cypraea ventriculus Lamarck

Cypraea caput serpent is Linne

Bullaria ampulla (Linne)
Large Tahiti form

Conus textile Linne
Conus striatus Linne
Conus litteratus Linne .
Conus sponsalis Bruguiere
Conus tessulata Born
Conus arenatus Bruguiere

Conus eburneus Bruguiere
Conus pulicarius Bruguiere
Conus ebraeus Linne
Conus vermiculatus Lamarck

Cypeaea achatina Sol. MSS.

Otaheite.

Cypraea caputserpentis L.

Bulla ampulla L. var. A.
Oceano Pacifico.

Conus textilis.

Otaheite.

Conus striatus.

Otaheite. J.B., D.S.

Conus literatus.

Otaheite.

Conus sponsalis Sol. MSS.

Otaheite. Byron Pacific Oc.

Conus tessulata.

Otaheite. J.B.

Conus arenatus Sol. MSS.

Otaheite.

Conus glaucus L.

Otaheite.

Conus pulicarius Sol. MSS.

Oceano Pacifico Otaheitensis.

Conus ebraeus L.

Oceano Pacifico Otaheitensis.

Conus princeps Martini.

Oceano Pacifico Otaheitensis.

Before following the course of the " Endeavour " south to New Zealand, there is a
specimen of Lathirus prismaticus (Martyn) to be recorded from the Banks collection,

96 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

which may suitably follow the Tahiti series. The refractory powers of the periostra-
cum of this species caused a great deal of interest to the early collectors. It was
first figured by Martyn, (1784 1, fig. 26) as Buccinum prismaticum, from the Friendly
Islands, no doubt brought back from Cook's second voyage. Martyn inserted a leaflet
in the first volume of his work headed Observations on the Explanatory Table, the
special observations on fig. 2 reading as follows :

"A very singular appearance, hitherto never observed of any other shell, is pro-
duced on this, by dipping it in water. The many small risings, or ribs of the shell,
from a brown, are in a few moments changed to a rich and lucid blue, which beautiful
effect again gradually dies away, as the shell becomes dry . . . The shell is shown in
both its states."

Martyn succeeded in conveying this lucid blue of the nodules of the wet shell, by
having his figures coloured with thick dabs of an almost metallic blue paint, held
together with touches of gum arabic, a treatment that has caused the colour to crack
and flake off in some copies of the plate. Solander labelled this unusual shell
Buccinum Iris in the Portland collection, for it appears at least three times in the
printed catalogue, with a reference to Martyn's figure in each case, obviously added
by Humphrey.

Lot 301. Buccinum Iris, S. Martyn, Vol. x, fig. zb, the epidermis of this singular
species when wet is of various colours, and is exceeding scarce

(Sold for £2.18.0 cash.)

Lot 1455. Buccinum Iris, S. Martyn, Vol. i.fig. 2b, very fine and extremely scarce

(Sold for £2.2.0 to Humphrey).

Lot 3356. Four curious species of Buccina viz three of Purpuratum, one of Aulicum
one of Iris, 5. Martyn, Vol. 1, fig. 2b and four singular Murices, all rare

(Sold for £1.12.0 cash.)

The prices paid for this small but attractive shell indicate the interest aroused at
the time, not only here, but on the continent, for Chemnitz (vol. x, p. 284, 1788)
follows a repetition of Martyn's observations with the information that Spengler
paid as much as three guineas for a single specimen. To whom this was paid is not
recorded by Chemnitz, but there is little doubt that it was to the purchaser of Lot
1455 noted above.

Dillwyn (1817, p. 741), records the species as the Murex prismaticus of Chemnitz,
and repeats Humphrey's description of its iridescent properties. He later complains
that Buccinum Iris does not appear among Solander's manuscripts in Sir Joseph
Banks's library, an omission now known to be due to the fact that Solander left the
genus Buccinum incomplete.

The Banks specimen of L. prismaticus, when placed in water, shows the irides-
cent colour only near the Up of the shell, due perhaps to the perishing of the perios-
tracum during the last 180 years, but shells from the Cuming and Gray collections,
gathered over a century ago, still show a fine blue iridescence when placed in water.

the banks shell collection 97

New Zealand

As in the account of Tahiti, there is little of note regarding shells in Banks's
Journal during the circumnavigation of New Zealand (October 8th to March 31st,
1770), but there are one or two references to the mollusca as a welcome source of
extra food ; accordingly, on the 10th November, a meal of broiled shags was followed
by one of a different kind, supplied to Banks and his party at a small village in
Mercury Bay (N.W. Coast of N. Island), where they were " most civilly received
by the inhabitants, who treated us with hot cockles, or at least a small flat shell-fish
(Tellina), which was most delicious food ". This was probably Amphidesma ventri-
cosum (Grey), the Toheroa of New Zealand, said by Suter (1913, p. 959) to be parti-
cularly plentiful on the northern shores, especially the west coast, and still considered
a great delicacy. The next day, an oyster bank was found, and the " Endeavour's "
longboat was filled with " as good oysters as ever came from Colchester, and of about
the same size . . . the ship's company, I sincerely believe, did nothing but eat from
the time they came on board until night ". These were without doubt the famous
Auckland rock oysters, Ostrea glomerata Gould, common to the Hauraki Gulf, and
still consumed in large quantities from May to September (Suter, 1913, p. 891).

From Banks's concluding remarks on New Zealand (Journal, p. 227), where he
notes the plentiful supply of excellent oysters, cockles, clams and many other sorts of
shell-fish, etc., one would have expected rather more than the eight typical New
Zealand shells found in his collection and listed below, but again it is evident that
botany was his main pursuit, molluscs being attractive mainly as a source of extra
food.

Notirus reflexus (Gray) .... Venus. * * *

Nova Cambria (in error ?).
Aulacomya maoriana Iredale . . . Mytilus * * *

= magellanicus Auct. Novae Zelandiae.

N.Z. J.B., D.S.
Mytilus canaliculus Martyn . , . — — —

N.Z.
Musculus impactus (Hermann) . . Mytilus gibbus Sol. MSS.

(fig. 4, a, b, c) N.Z.

Chione stutchburii (Wood) . . . Venus antiquata Sol. MSS.

Nova Cambria (in error ?). J.B.
Struthiolaria papulosa (Martyn) . Murex — — —

Buccinulum tnultilineum Powell . . Murex. N.Z.

(fig- 9)
Cymatium parthenopeus (von Salis) . Murex olearium.

Notable species among these few New Zealand shells are the very characteristic
Chione stutchburii (Wood), and Musculus impactus (Hermann) (plate 15). The
former was given the locality Nova Cambria (New South Wales) by Solander, pro-
bably in error, for no records of its occurrence there are known. Chione stutchburii,
frequently attributed to Gray, was first figured by William Wood (1828, pi. 2, fig. 4),
from a specimen in the British Museum, with the locality Sandwich Islands. How
this locality came to be given to this typical New Zealand species is now impossible to

98 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

say, but there are certainly two specimens attached to a tablet, with the locality
Sandwich Islands altered in pencil to New Zealand, and it seems quite likely that
it was from this tablet that Wood took his figured specimen, probably brought
back from one of Cook's voyages.

The clusters of Musculus impactus, one of which is shown in fig. 5, are of great
interest ; fresh and as firm as though collected recently, they are part of the first
consignment to be brought to this country in 1771, their similarity, except in size,
to our own Musculus discors (Linne), causing much confusion among contemporary
authors. Solander first confused it with his own Mytilus gibbus in the Banks Collec-
tion, then renamed it in his manuscript, where it will be seen to have been later
altered to the M. discors Linne (fig. 7). Da Costa (1778, p. 222-3) concludes his
description of the Linnean discors as follows :

" All that Linne had seen, as well as all those found on our coasts, are very
small, thin, and delicate ; but a kind no wise different, except in size and colour,
being larger than a great walnut, and quite brown, was brought from the
southern hemisphere by that great and national honour Capt. Cook, the circum-
navigator, in the late expeditions for the discovery of new countries. These
also were intirely unknown to all our collectors ; and, as they only differ in
size, thickness, and colour, but are exactly the same in structure, way of life, and
other particulars, as these of our coasts, is it a distinct species, or variety only? "
Donovan, in The Natural History of British Shells (Vol. 1, 1804, text to pi. xxv)
also concludes his description of M. discors in the same vein, remarking that, according
to Gmelin "it is likewise noted as a native of the Southern Ocean ", and then he
proceeds to repeat the observations of Da Costa verbatim, as a footnote, adding that
1 ' As a figure of this very analogous kind may be acceptable, it is introduced in the
annexed plate at fig. 2 ".

Gmelin certainly noted that M. discors occurred also in the Southern Ocean, and
included in his synonomy a reference to Hermann, in Volume XVII of the Natur-
forscher (1782), wherein this New Zealand species was clearly described as Mytilus
impactus, with quite good figures (pi. iii, figs. 5-8), but the idea that it was only
a large form of the Linnean discors persisted, partly due, no doubt, to the habit of
forming a nest of byssal threads, indulged in by both species. The systematic
position of Musculus impactus was in doubt for many years, for according to Suter's
synonomy (1913, p. 869), the species has been referred by various authors to Mytilus
Modiola, Crenella, Modiolaria and Modiolarca.

Australia (New South Wales and Queensland)

Having satisfactorily proved that New Zealand, the land seen by Tasman in 1642,
was a series of islands and not the edge of a vast Southern continent, as predicted
by the early geographers, the "Endeavour" progressed in a westerly direction,
eventually sighting land (South of Cape Howe), on the 19th April, 1770, the first
landing being made on the afternoon of the 28th, at Sting Ray Bay (later renamed
Botany Bay).

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 99

Much botanical collecting was done by Banks and Solander at this classical
locality, and it appears that shells were also taken here, notably several Bullaria
botanica Hedley, one of the commonest species on the tidal flats of New South Wales.
On the 23rd May, a party went ashore further north, at Bustard Bay, where, apart
from shooting a large bustard, which provided the next day's dinner, and observing
various other birds, Banks noted that on the mud banks, under the mangrove trees
were " innumerable oysters, hammer oysters, and many more sorts, among which
were a large proportion of small pearl oysters. Whether the sea in deeper water
might abound with as great a proportion of full-grown ones, we had not an
opportunity to examine, but if it did, a pearl fishery here must turn out to immense
advantage".

The main Australian pearl fisheries are now carried on more to the north and
north-west (Torres Strait, Darwin, Broome, etc.) where the larger and more valuable
species occur. The small pearl shells mentioned by Banks, of which several are
in his collection (fig. 14), are typical of Port Hacking, Broken and Botany Bays,
and Sydney, " frequenting sandy mud-flats in tidal bays and inlets along the coast "
(Allen, 1950, p. 267). As already noted, examples of the Hammer Oysters {Malleus)
mentioned by Banks, were also brought back and duly described by Humphrey,
Donovan and other authors.

Although many specimens in the Banks Collection were not actually localized
by Solander, it is only reasonable to suppose that the bulk of them were brought
back from the " Endeavour " voyage, for while many of the species, especially the
Cowries, are common to the Indo-West-Pacific, and may have been collected earlier
by Captains Byron or Wallace, it cannot be entirely due to coincidence that so
many of these same species have been recorded from New South Wales and Queens-
land, particularly from the coastal districts of the latter, now known, appropriately
enough, as the Banksian Province of the Australian Region. Indeed, Iredale (19396,
p. 211) states quite definitely that " every shell known from Queensland before 1820,
must have been procured by Cook's party ". This statement seems to confirm the
view that the single unlabelled specimen of the dorsally speckled form of Cypraea
humphreyii Gray, said by the same author (1939, p. 126) to be common only to
Queensland and New South Wales, must have been brought back by the " Endeavour"
in 1771.

This small Cowry is presumably one of the shells collected on the Barrier Reef dur-
ing the prolonged stay (18th June-ioth July, 1770), while repairs were being made
to Cook's vessel, after the accident that so nearly proved fatal to all concerned.
In his Journal (Ed. 2, p. 144) Sydney Parkinson tells how " During the time we
stayed here we picked up a great many natural curiosities from the reef we struck
upon, consisting of a variety of curious shells, most of which were entirely new
to Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander".

During this period, the "Endeavour's" pinnace was often busy searching for
a passage through the shoals, and on one of these trips the crew landed on a dry
reef " where they found great plenty of shell-fish, so that the boat was completely
loaded, chiefly with a kind of cockle (Chama gigas) one of which was more than two
men could eat ; many indeed were larger. The coxswain of the boat, a little man,

ioo THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

declared that he saw on the reef a dead shell of one so large that he got into it, and it
fairly held him " (Banks's Journal, p. 284). This account was not exaggerated, for
the Giant Clams (Tridacna), grow to enormous sizes on the Barrier Reef, and have
been known to reach over three feet in length and weigh anything up to 500 lb.
(Allen, 1950, p. 321). Dampier also noted the occurrence of these large clams
during his visit to the north-west coast in 1699.

List of Australian Shells in the Banks Collection with occasional remarks.

Modiolus auriculatus Krauss
Amygdalum arborescens (Dillwyn) .
Brachidontes hirsutus (Lamarck) .

(fig- 15)
Septifer bilocularis
Lithophaga teres Philippi
Mytilus planulatus Lamarck .
Aulacomya maoriana Iredale .

Crenatula nigrina Lamarck
Electroma georgiana (Quoy & Gaimard)
Electrotna punctulata (Reeve)
Austrapteria lata (Gray)
Pinctada reeveana (Dunker) .
Pinctada margaritifera (Linne)
Pinctada vulgaris (Schumacher)
Pinctada vulgaris panasesae Jameson
Pinna muricata Linn6 .

Mytilus ornatus Sol. MSS.
New Holland.

Marked D.S. on label.
Mytilus lithophagus.
New Holland.
Mytilus discors Linn.
New Holland.

Mytilus hirundo L.
New Holland.

Pinna nebulosa Sol. MSS.

The last named may be the Quantul&pinna delsa of Iredale, who discusses the
species at length (1939&, p. 311) . In this Great Barrier Reef Report, much interesting
data will be found relating to the other species in this list, but as his single figure of
Q. delsa (pi. iv, fig. 16) shows little difference from accepted forms of the Linnean
P. muricata recently examined, the older name has been retained for the Banks
specimens.

Chlamys asperrimus (Lamarck) . . — — —

Lima ( Stabilima) tadena Iredale . . South Seas.

Lima (Austrolima) nimbifer Iredale . Nova Cambria.

Saxostrea commercialis Iredale & Rough- New Holland,
ley

This specimen of S. commercialis is attached to a fair-sized shell of Pyrazus ebeninus,
a common gastropod found on the mud-flats of New South Wales and Queensland
(fig. 11). The shell of the oyster is typical of the stunted and thickened seashore
form described by Iredale (1939&, p. 399), and is the common commercial oyster of
Australia, which is particularly abundant in New South Wales where large numbers
are marketed annually. An excellent description with photographs of modern
oyster culture, foreshadowed by the enjoyment of this same species of Australian

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

oyster by Banks and his party, is given by Dakin in his book on the Australian
seashores (1953, pp. 289-92).

Batissa triquetra Deshayes

Venus erosa Sol. MSS.

This North Australian and Queensland species, of which there are two small but
fresh-looking specimens in the collection, was first described in manuscript by
Solander as Venus erosa, with the authentic locality Nova Cambria, and marked J.B.
This same locality is marked in pencil on the interior of both valves of one specimen
(fig. 10). The species appears twice in the Portland Catalogue, both entries worded
differently.

Lot 1603 (p. 71).
Lot 3961 (p. 186).

Venus Erosa, S. a large and singular fresh-water Bivalve, from New
South Wales, extremely rare.

Venus Erosa, S. a very curious undescribed species of freshwater
bivalve, with a black epidermis, and fine purple inside, the country
unknown, very rare.

Even more curious is the obvious discrepancy between these two entries, but as
they are separated by over 2,000 separate lots, it must be attributed to the flagging
zeal of the compiler. Dillwyn (1817, p. 177) places the Venus erosa of Solander in
the synonomy of Venus coaxans Gmelin, for which he quotes the Chemnitz locality
" Ceylon ", although he had seen the more reliable Nova Cambria and New
South Wales of the Solander manuscripts and Portland Catalogue.

The first part of Dillwyn's description is certainly applicable to Gmelin's Venus
coaxans, but he goes on to say : " I suspect that this is the Venus erosa of Solander,
and Mr. Humphrey describes the epidermis in one of the specimens in the Portland
cabinet to have been black, of which colour it had probably been stained by the mud,
as is frequently the case with many other fresh-water shells." This nearly black
epidermis, however, is a distinguishing feature of the Batissa triquetra Deshayes, as
opposed to the olive brown of Geloina ( = Cyrena) coaxans (Gmelin), both species
occurring together among the mangroves of Queensland (Allen, 1951, p. 403).

In the extract from p. 177 of Dillwyn's text, it is of importance to note the
reference to Humphrey as the author of the Portland Catalogue (see p. 88).

Codakia rugifera (Reeve)
Codakia tigerina (Linne) .
Corbis fimbriata (Linne) .

Liochoncha castrensis (Linne)
Lioconcha varians (Hanley)

Gafrarium scripta (Linne)

(fig. 8.)
Gafrarium pectinatum (Linne)

Gafrarium tumidum (Roding)

Venus tigrina Linn.
Venus fimbriata L.
Nova Cambria. J.B., D.S.
Venus castrensis L.
Venus juvenca Sol. MSS.
Nova Cambria. J.B.
Venus scripta var. B. D.S.

Venus pectinata L.
N.H. J.B., D.S.
Venus expansa Sol. MSS.
Nova Cambria. J.B., D.S.

Hist, i, 3.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Pitaria pellucida (Lamarck)
Macrocallista maculata (Linn6)

Dosinia anus Philippi

Antigona puerpera (Linn6)
Antigona reticulata (Linne)

Chione marica (Linn6) .
Chione foliacea (Philippi)

Venus maculata L. var. A.

Nova Cambria.

Venus lincta.

N.H. Nova Cambria.

Venus puerpera L. J.B.

Venus reticulata L.

Nova Cambria. N.H.

Venus dysera L.
Nova Cambria.

The Banks specimen of this shell was identified from specimens labelled foliacea
in the British Museum collection, and is one of the species belonging to the Venus
dysera complex discussed very fully by Dodge (1952, pp. 89-92)

Paphia philippinarum (Reeve) . . Venus decussata L. var.

Asaphis deflorata (Linne) . . . Venus deflorata L.

Linne confined the distribution of Asaphis deflorata only to Europe, although it
had been recorded from Barbadoes and accurately figured by one of his chief mentors,
Martin Lister (Lib. Ill, 1687, pi. 425). Solander recorded several localities and
described no less than five colour varieties from the Indian Ocean, Japan, Pegu,
Suratte and Malacca, localities now recognized to have been obtained from the
Sloane collection and catalogues (Wilkins, 1953, p. 9 et seq.) ; but the locality New
Zealand, written on one of the ten specimens of A . deflorata in the Banks collection,
was probably intended for New Holland.

Notocorbula tunicata (Hinds) . . . Venus. * * *

Cerithideopsilla fluviatilis Potiez . . New Holland.

Pyrazus ebeninus (Bruguiere) . . . Murex aluco-nigra.

(fig. 11) New Holland.

P. ebeninus is still known to Australian conchologists as the Hercules Club, an
ancient vernacular name which appears several times in the Portland and other
early catalogues. It was first named and figured by Martyn in the Universal
Conchologist as Clava Herculea (vol. 1, 1784, f. 13) from a specimen in the Humphrey
collection ; it is also known as the Mud Whelk, the species being very common on
the sandy mud flats round Sydney, Botany Bay and the upper reaches of Port
Jackson. The presence of several specimens of this characteristic New South
Wales shell in the Banks collection confirms Allan's remark (1951, p. 87), that
" the Hercules Club was amongst the first shells to be taken back to England from
Australia, being taken there by Captain Cook ".

Cerithium nodulosum Bruguiere . . Murex aluco.

The C. nodulosum or Coral Reef Creeper, another species of Hercules Club, was
frequently confused with the smaller Pyrazus ebeninus by early authors. It is
essentially a coral reef form, particularly common on the Great Barrier Reef.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

103

Cerithium tuberculatum (Linne)

Cerithium morus Lamarck
Cerithium echinatum Lamarck
Cerithium (Aluco) aluco (Linne)
Cerithium (Rhinoclavis) vertagus (Linne)
Cerithium (Rhinoclavis) obeliscus Brug.
Cerithium (Rhinoclavis) lineatum Brug.

Cerithium (Rhinoclavis) asper (Linne) .

Amphiperas ovum (Linn6)

Murex tuberculatus.

New Holland.

New Holland.

Murex aluco.

Murex aluco Linn.

Murex vertagus.

Murex turris chinensis.

Murex turris obeliscus.

New Holland.

Murex granulatus Sol. MSS.

New Holland.

Bulla ovum.

The last named species, known commonly as the White Egg Cowry, is used in the
Pacific as a canoe ornament. Amongst other places it is recorded from the Solomon
and Torres Straits Islands, where it is reported by Jackson (1917, p. 175) to be worn as
an ornament for the neck, breast or leg. Spectacular pendants composed entirely
of A . ovum form an important part of the regalia of the aborigine Elders of Australia
(Allen, 1951, pi. 13).

Calpurnus verrucosus (Linne)
Pustularia cicercula (Linne)
Pustularia globulus (Linne)
Pustularia childreni (Gray)

Bulla verrucosa.
Cypraea cicercula.

The remaining Cypraeidae found in the Banks collection are listed under the
genera used by Schilder & Schilder (1938-39), and as most of the species are well-
known, their numerous sub-genera have been omitted for the sake of brevity. As
already noted, many of these Cowries are common Indo-West-Pacific species, but
all those included below have been recorded from New South Wales and Queensland.

Staphylaea staphylaea (L.)
Staphylaea facifer Iredale
Staphylaea nucleus (L.) .
Erosaria helvola (L.)
Erosaria poraria (L.)
Erosaria erosa (L.) .
Monetaria annulus (L.) .
Monetaria moneta (L.) nodulous form
Monetaria obvellata (Lamarck)
Erronea onyx (L.) Juvenile
Erronea errones (L.)
Erronea caurica (L.)
Palmadusta punctata (L.)
Palmadusta asellus (L.) .
Palmadusta clandestina (L.)
Palmadusta humphreyii (Gray)
Palmadusta ziczac (L.)
Evanaria hirundo (L.)
Evanaria coffea (Sowerby)
Blasicrura chinensis (Gmelin)
Cribraria teres (Gmelin) .

Cypraea staphylaea var. A.
C. oryza Sol. MSS.

Cypraea helvola L.

Cypraea annulus.
Cypraea moneta var. C.
Cypraea moneta.
Cypraea onyx-dubius.
New Holland.

Cypraea asellus L.

Cypraea zikzak.
Cypraea hirundo L. J.B.
Cypraea umbilicata Sol. MSS.
Cypraea morbillosa Sol. MSS.

HIST. I, 3.

7§

104

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Cribraria cribraria (L.)
Luria Isabella (L.)
Callistocypraea testudinaria (L.)
Talparia argus (L.) .
Talparia talpa (L.) .
Mauritia arabica (L.)
Mauritia arabica (L.) Juvenile .
Mauritia maculifera Schilder. Juv

Cypraea cribraria L.
Cypraea isabella L.
Cypraea testudinaria.
Cypraea argos.

Cypraea arabica.
Cypraea amethystea L.
Cypraea amethystea L.

Hanley (1855, p. 184) dealt very briefly with the Cypraea amethystea of Linne,
saying that the specimen marked for the species in the Linnean cabinet was an
example of the C. histrio of authors, having the outer coating of the dorsal surface
artificially removed. A recent examination of the type specimen reveals that it
is a typical and mature C. arabica L., rubbed or worn right down to the violet inner
layer, and sufficiently highly polished to give the appearance of natural enamel to a
not too critical eye.

Solander accepted C. amethystea as a good species, to which he referred specimens
now seen to be juveniles of the arabica group of Cowries ; these were accurately
described in his manuscript and marked as present in the Banks and Portland
collections. He had apparently seen beach-worn or polished shells of C. arabica,
showing a purple or violet dorsum, and placed them among his numerous varieties
of that species (C. arabica var. E. testa detrita dorso violaceo, M.C.P.). Dillwyn (1817,
p. 439) also considered the Linnean C. amethystea to be the juvenile stage of C.
arabica, listing it as such in his synonomy, and stating that young shells are bluish
grey, variously clouded or banded with brown ; later the back becomes brownish or
dull blue, in which stage of its growth it is known by the name of C. amethystea, or
Smoke Cowry. Then follows the suggestion that Linne was not aware of the
different appearances of the Cowries at different periods of growth " and from want
of this knowledge, he has described the present species under three different names."

The three names referred to by Dillwyn were C. arabica, which still stands, C.
amethystea, an error due to polishing, and C. fragilis, an intermediate stage of the
first. In 1845 Reeve (Cypraea, sp. 2) followed Dillwyn in attributing the Linnean
C. amethystea to juveniles of C. arabica ; and only recently Dodge (1953, p. 70-71),
working at long range, confessed his difficulty in identifying the species from the
available literature, even doubting the veracity of the dorso violaceo of Linne's
description. Three of the four authors mentioned above did not see the Linnean
holotype ; had they done so, the error in giving a name to this mature but mal-
treated shell would have become immediately apparent. Incidentally, Dodge (p. 70)
was unable to confirm the occurrence of worn arabica group Cowries showing a
violet dorsum, but beach-worn specimens of at least two species recently examined
show violet coloration of the dorsal area, which would equal the intensity of the
Linnean shell, if highly polished.

Mauritia maculifera Schilder
Mauritia histrio (Gmelin)
Mauritia mauritiana (Linne)
Mauritia mauritiana, Juvenile
Cypraea tigris (Linne), Juvenile

Cypraea arabica var. C.
Cypraea arabica var. D.
Cypraea mauritiana.
Bulla non-umbilicata.
Bulla cypraea.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

105

Dillwyn's statement regarding Linne's lack of knowledge of the growth stages in
Cypraea, can only be related to intermediate stages, for in the description of his
Bulla cypraea in the Tenth and Twelfth editions of the Systema Naturea he indicates,
by a cross reference, that the shell is a larval, or early stage of Cypraae. Bulla
cypraea was not numbered as a species in the Tenth Edition, being inserted in
Bulla " as a precautionary measure, because the less experienced naturalists would
naturally search for the names of the young Cowries in that genus " (Hanley, 1855,
p. 209).

Cypraea Vanelli L.
Cypraea Vanelli L., Juvenile

Cypraea lynx.
Cypraea vanelli L.

Cypraea Vanelli was described by Linne from an intermediate stage of his own
C. lynx, which appeared on the succeeding page of the Tenth Edition of the Systema
[p. 721, 303), a fact overlooked by Dillywn, who allowed it to remain as a good
species. Dodge (1953, p. 72) suggested that the substitution of C. Vanelli for the
well-known C. lynx would unnecessarily confuse the nomenclature, but Vanelli
had already been substituted by Iredale (1935, p. no), evidently on page precedence,
and now appears in the Australian literature, without comment (Iredale, 1939^,
p. 299 ; Allen, 1951, p. 126).

Cypraea vitellus L.
Cypraea carneola L.
Cymatium pyrum (L.)
Cytnatium tripus (Lamarck)
Cymatium part henopeus (von Salis)
Cymatium chlorostoma (Lamarck)

(fig- 13.)
Distortrix anus (L.)
Bursa albivaricosa (Reeve)
Bursa granifera (Lamarck)
Bursa rubecula (L.)
Pirulaficus (L.)
Murex monodon Sowerby
Murex adustus Lamarck
Murex torrefactus Reeve
Murex ternispina Lamarck
Murex haustellum L.
Nucella amygdala (Kiener)
Phos senticosa (Linne)
Engina alveolata Kiener
Galeodes pugilina (Linne)
Megalotractus aruanus (L.), Juvenile

Cypraea vitellus.
Cypraea carneola.
Murex pyrum.
Murex femorale.
Murex olearium.
Murex.

Murex anus.
Murex rana.
Murex gyrinus L.
Murex rubecula L.
Bulla ficus L.
Murex ramosus L.
Murex ramosus.
Murex ramosus.
Murex tribulus.
Murex haustellum.
Murex.
Murex senticosus.

Murex pugilinus.

M. aruanus, the False Trumpet shell of the Indo-Pacific and Northern Australia
may be over two feet in shell length when fully grown, and is used by the natives
as a very efficient water carrier, the long canal serving as a spout. The smooth
texture of the shell makes it particularly suitable for the manufacture of personal
ornaments. (Allen, 1951, p. 158).

io6

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Lathirus polygonus (Linne)
Lathirus gibbulus (Linne)
Lathirus nodatus (Quoy & Gaimard)
Peristernia nassatula (Lamarck)
Peristernia ustulata Reeve
Fasciolaria filamentosa Lamarck
Colus colus (Linne)

(fig. 12)

Fusus tuberculatus Lamarck .

Murex or Fusus polygonus striatus.

Murex or Fusus polygonus striatus.

Murex.

Murex.

Murex.

Murex colus.

Murex colus.

In concluding this list of Murex it should perhaps be noted again that Solander
did not complete his manuscript descriptions of the genus, and this accounts for the
number of repetitions and blank labels found in the Murex drawer of the collection.
It appears that an unknown worker commenced labelling as many shells as he could
from the available literature, after which Solander would give his final judgment,
naming and describing any species that did not agree with those already in the
Systema Naturae. Thus the three separate species monodon, adustus and torref actus,
all attributed by the helper to the Linnean M. ramosus, would have certainly been
described as new when critically examined by Solander.

Bullaria botanica Hedley

Bulla ampulla var.

The presence of this species, probably from Botany Bay, has already been men-
tioned (p. 99), and was formerly known as Bulla australis, a suitable but preoccupied
name used by Gray (1825, p. 408) when describing specimens collected by Captain
King, during his survey of the coast of Australia from 1817-1822.

Hydatina physis (Linne) .
Conus anemone Lamarck
Conus catus Bruguiere
Conus coronatus Gmelin
Conus distans Bruguiere

Bulla ***

Conus stercus muscarum.
Conus distans Sol. MSS.

C. distans is another example of an original Solander name taken from the Portland
Catalogue (Lot 1450), or from named specimens purchased from Humphrey.
Localized specimens in the British Museum collections show the range of the species
to be North Australia to Tahiti, but Bruguiere gave the type locality New Zealand,
and was followed in this by Dillwyn (1817, p. 389), and Tomlin (1937, p. 241).
No species of Conus have been found to occur in New Zealand.

Conus eburneus Bruguiere

Conus glaucus.
Nova Cambria.

There are twenty specimens of C. eburneus in all stages of growth in the collection,
many with the periostracum still preserved in situ. A further series of Conus,
all labelled Nova Cambria, are listed below with the specific names only :

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

107

C. ebraeus Linn6
C.figulinus Linne
C.flavidus Lamarck
C. generalis Linne
C. lividus Bruguiere
C. quercinus [Humphrey]
C. nussatella Linne

C. litteratus Linne

C. magus Linn6

C. marmoreus Linne

C. pulicarius Bruguiere

C. textile Linne

C. virgo Linne

C. vermiculatus Lamarck

Conus quercinus is an example of part of a Martini trinomial name introduced
into the binomial nomenclature by Solander. The Conus Lignum Quercinum
of Martini (2, p. 299, f. 657, 1773) was referred to by Solander in his manuscript
description of C. quercinus, followed by the initials M. C. P., and thus it appears for
the first time in the Portland Catalogue in 1786 (Lot 1501), Conus quercinus S.
Martini, Vol. II, 657), and should therefore be attributed to Humphrey rather than
to Bruguiere, who next published the name in 1792 (p. 681). Dautzenburg (1937,
p. 206) places Bruguiere (1792) as the first publisher of the binomial name in his
ninety-five references to C. quercinus in the literature from 1742 to 1933, but this
exhaustive list does not include the earlier Portland entry 1501, although C. quercinus
Solander is quoted from Dillwyn (1817, p. 394) where it was duly recorded.

Although probably part of Solander's original material, no type status is claimed
for the large specimen of C. quercinus in the Banks collection, for it bears no label
beyond a scrap of paper marked N.C • (Nova Cambria), and the initials J. B. do not
occur in Solander's original description.

New Guinea to Java

Although there is little definite proof that the following miscellaneous Indonesian
species were actually gathered on the return voyage of the " Endeavour," there
appears to have been ample opportunity for collecting at Savu, Batavia and
Prince's Island, in spite of the intermittent bouts of fever and sickness suffered by
Banks and Solander. No specific mention of shells was made by Banks in his
Journal, but Solander mentions a few living molluscs in the Java section of his manu-
script list of animals observed during Cook's first voyage, notably Cypraea tigris L.
of which a fully grown specimen is in the Banks collection, clearly seen in the complete
drawer of Cypraea (see fig. 1).

Mytilus smaragdinus Linn6

Chlamys tigris (Lamarck)

Codakia punctata (Linn6)

Chione marica (Linne)

Terebellum subulatum Lamarck

Erronea caurica (Linne) .

Cypraea tigris Linn6

Colubraria distortus Schubert & Wagner

Colubraria testaceus Morch

Thais margariticola (Broderip)

Murex capusinus Lamarck

Turris cinguliferus (Lamarck) .

Venus punctata L.
Venus marica.
Bulla terebellum.
Maldives <S» Guinea.
Java Sol. MSS.

New Guinea.

Murex turris Babylonicus.

io8

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Turris citharella (Lamarck)
Turris javanus (Linne)
Turris tigrina (Lamarck)
Turris tornata (Dillwyn) .
Atys naucum (Linne)
Conus terebra Linne
Conus varius Linne
Conus musicus Bruguiere
Conus imperialis Linne .

Buccinum cithara.

Murex Javanus.

Murex Turris Babylonicus.

Murex.

Bulla naucum L.

Conus * * *

Conus corona imperialis.

Oceano pacifico. J.B., D.S.

DESCRIPTIVE CATLOGUE.— PART II

Specimens given to Banks from various localities up to the year 1782

1. Shells from British Columbia, Newfoundland, and the Atlantic Coast
of the United States of America.

(a) British Columbia (Vancouver Island).

Nucella lamellosa cymica (Dull).
Nucella canaliculata (Duclos).
Euthria dira (Reeve) .
Pteroytis foliatus (Gmelin).

These four typical species were undoubtedly brought back from Cook's third
voyage (1776-1780), collected during the stay of the " Discovery " and " Resolution "
in Nootka Sound, from 29th March to 26th April, 1778. P. foliatus is of particular
interest, for it appeared frequently in the early literature and sale catalogues. Cook
(1778, 2, p. 299) briefly described the molluscs of Nootka, where mention is made of
" a curious murex, rugged wilks, and a snail, all which are probably peculiar to this
place". It was first figured by Martyn in 1784 (vol. 2, pi. 66) as Purpura foliata
with the locality King George's Sound, the name chosen by Cook before adopting
the native name of Nootka. The species appears several times in the Portland
Catalogue of 1786, notably in Lot 1848, where it is referred to as " the foliated Pur-
pura, a new species from the N.W. Coast of America ", and in Lot 3036, with the
full locality " King George's Sound, on the N.W. Coast of America ".

Although the species was clearly described by Gmelin in 1791 (p. 3529, 174),
it still appeared in the catalogue of the Leverian Museum in 1806 as " a scarce
triplex from Nootka Sound (Lot 196), and the " foliated triplex, Nootka Sound " (Lot
2009). The two specimens of P. foliatus in the Banks collection were obviously
collected alive, for the dried animals and opercula are still within the shells.

(b) Newfoundland

Chlamys islandicus (Miiller)

Ostrea demissa Sol. MSS.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 109

Solander described this species in his manuscript as Ostrea demissa, later named
Pecten islandicus by Miiller (1776, p. 248), and Ostrea cinnabarina by Born (1778,
p. 87). Solander added a note to his manuscript saying that the specimen was
taken from a cod's maw by J. Banks on the banks of Newfoundland, and as this is
the only example of C. islandicus in the collection, it is presumed to be the actual
shell taken by Banks during his visit to Newfoundland and Labrador in H.M.S.
" Niger" from April to November, 1766. Dillwyn (1817, p. 256), who seems to
have been unaware of Miiller's name, retains the 0. cinnabarina Born, quoting
0. demissa Solander MSS. as a synonym, and duly records the information
(obviously taken from Solander 's manuscript note), that " Sir Joseph Banks procured
a specimen from the stomach of a cod on the banks of Newfoundland ".

(c) Atlantic Coast of the United States

Venus (Mercenaria) mercenaria Linne — — —

Connecticut Sol. MSS.

This is the Hard Shell Clam or Quahog of the east coast, and is eaten in quantity
in the form of " chowder " from April to September (Rogers, 1951, p. 348). Accord-
ing to various authorities the purple edge of the shell of this species was used by the
natives to form their wampum or treaty belts. The Banks specimen lacks the
purple coloration, and is the variety alba described by Dall.

Modiolus demissus (Dillwyn) . . Mytilus demissus Sol. MSS.

Lectotype. Plate 18, fig. 19. Carolina & Virginea

Dillwyn, Descriptive Catalogue of Shells (Mytilus), p. 314, 1817.

Length Height Thickness

Dimensions of Lectotype ... 95 mm. . 32 mm. . 29 mm.

Type locality : Carolina.

This is a straightforward example of a subsequent author's validation of a Solander
manuscript name. Dillwyn's description (1817, p. 314) based on Solander's MSS.
account, also referred to Lister's excellent figure of a specimen from Carolina (1687,
tab. 358).

The species occurs from Virginia to Florida on the Atlantic Coast, and in recent
years has been introduced into California on the Pacific Coast (Maxwell Smith,
1940, p. 99 and Keep, 1935, p. 64). Solander's manuscript (reproduced at fig. 18) is
marked with the full set of locator initials, and there is little doubt that the examples
in the Banks and Portland collections from Carolina were sent by Dr. Alexander
Garden the elder (i730?-i79i), of Charleston, who is known to have corresponded
with Ellis and Solander (Smith, 1821, p. 282 et seq.). Those marked M.B. would be
specimens brought from Carolina by Mark Catesby and given to Sir Hans Sloane
at a much earlier date.

There are actually two specimens of M. demissus in the Banks collection ; one large,
now designated the Lectotype (fig. 19), and one smaller specimen, labelled by the

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

donor Salt Marsh Mussel, Pennsylvania. This was probably sent by John Bartram of
Philadelphia who supplied specimens of all kinds to the leading collectors of his day
including Linn6 himself (Wilkins, 1952, p. 252).

2. Shells from the Caribbean and Bahama Islands

Modiolus tulipa Lamarck
Modiolus modiolus (Linne)
Hormomya exustus (Linne)
Chlamys nodosus (Linn6)
Chlamys ventricosa (Sowerby)
Chlamys irradians (Lamarck) .
Pecten ziczac (Linne)
Lucina edentula (Linne) .

Mytilus modiolus L. vars. A,
Mytilus flavicans Sol. MSS.
Mytilus exustus.

Ostrea * * *
Ostrea * * *
Ostrea ziczac L.
Venus edentula L.

B.

It may be of interest to note that, unlike Linne who gave no reference to a figure
in his description of Venus edentula, Solander quoted Lister, tab. 260, fig. 96 (1687)
in his manuscript, noting that examples were in the Portland, Banks and British
Museum collections.

This is an instance where two out of the three examples so noted are in existence.
The British Museum specimen is in the Sloane collection and is the identical shell
figured by Lister. The interior shows the yellow coloration typical of the species
and fits over Lister's figure exactly, factors which help to confirm the true identity
of Linne's Venus edentula, discussed at such length by Hanley (1855, pp. 78-80)
and more recently by Dodge (1952, pp. 117-118).

Lucina columbella Lamarck
Lucina pensylvanica (Linn6)

Codakia orbicularis (Linne)
Amiantis circinata (Born)

Amiantis dione (Linne) .

Macrocallista nimbosa [Humphrey]
Lectotype. (Plate 17, fig. 16)

Venus pensylvanica L.

Jamaica.

Venus pensylvanica.

Jamaica, Barbadoes.

Antigua, Bahamas.

Venus rubescens Sol. MSS.

Jamaica.

Venus dione L.

Venus nimbosa Sol. MSS.
Florida and Antigua.

Catalogue of the Portland Museum, p. 175, Lot 3761, 1786
Dimensions of Lectotype .

Length
no mm.

Height
60 mm„

Thickness
26 mm.

Type locality : Florida.

Chione granulata (Gmelin)
Chione cancellata (Linne)

Chione beaui (Recluz)

Chione grata (Say)

Venus * * *

Venus cancellata L.

Bahamas.

Venus cancellata L.

Bahamas.

Venus * * *

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

ill

Chione pygmaea (Lamarck)
Chione paphia (Linne)
Anomalocardia impressa (Anton)

Cerithium ferrugineum Say .
Trivia pediculus (Linne) .
Cypraea Zebra Linne
Cypraea Zebra, Juvenile .

Venus * * *

Venus paphia.

Venus rostrata Sol. MSS.

Jamaica.

Murex.

Cypraea pediculus.

Cypraea exanthema.

Cypraea exanthema et

Zebra dicta.

A very full discussion of the C. exanthema and C. Zebra of Linne was recently
published by Dodge (1953, pp. 61-63), from which it appears that the well-known
exanthema must inevitably give way to the earlier Zebra, described by Linne from
an immature banded specimen.

Cypraea spurca Linne
Cymatium pileare (Lamarck) .

Murex brevifrons Lamarck

Murex florifer arenarius Clench & Perez

Farfante
Lathirus infundibulum (Lamarck)
Lathirus ocellatus (Lamarck) .
Bullaria ampulla (Linne)
Bullaria solidula (A. Adams)
Bullaria occidentalis (A. Adams)
Hydatina undata (Bruguiere) .
Conus regius Gmelin
Conus granulatus Linne .
Conus mus Bruguiere

Cypraea spurca.
Murex olearium.
Jamaica.
Murex ramosus.
Murex ramosus.

Bulla amygdalus Sol. MSS.
Bulla amygdalus.

Bulla nitidula Sol. MSS.
Conus nebulosa Sol. MSS.
Conus granulatus L.

3. Shells from the East Indies
(a) Specimens sent to Banks by J. G. Koenig from the Coromandel Coast

Modiolus modiolus (Linne)
Septifer bilocularis (Linne)

Pinctada vexillum (Reeve)
Chlamys senatoria (Gmelin)
Chlamys tranquebaricus (Gmelin) .
Chlamys coralinoides D'Orbigny
Chlamys squamosa (Gmelin) .
Lima lima (Linne) ....
Lioconcha picta (Lamarck)

Pitaria albina (Lamarck) .
Macrocallista textile (Gmelin)

Macrocallista erycina (Linn6) .
Sunetta scripta (Linne) .
Meretrix formosa (Sowerby), Juvenile
Meretrix formosa (Sowerby), Juvenile
Paphia rotundata Linne .
Laternula plicata (Gray) .

Mytilus * * *
Mytilus bilocularis.
Koenig, Coromandel.

Ostrea pellucens Sol. MSS.
Ostrea undata Born.

Ostrea lima L.

Venus ornata Sol. MSS.

Koenig, Coromandel.

Koenig. Ind. Orient.

Venus polita Sol. MSS.

Koenig, Coromandel.

Venus erycina L.

Venus cytherea Sol. MSS.

Venus laeta L.

Venus * * *

Venus * * *

Mytilus pellucens Sol. MSS.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

(b) East Indian species from other sources

Lithophaga nasuta Philippi
Chlamys imbricatus (Gmelin)
Lioconcha castrensis (Linne) .
Pitar obliquata (Hanley)
Gafrarium dispar (Dillwyn)
Gafrarium divaricata (Gmelin)
Amiantis umbonella (Lamarck)
Amiantis umbonella var nivea Hanley
Macrocallista maculata (Linne)
Macrocallista florida (Lamarck)
Macrocallista lilacina (Lamarck)
Sunetta solanderii Gray .
Sunetta contempta Smith

Sunetta mer'oe (Linne) .

Meretrix casta (Gmelin) .
Meretrix ponderosa (Philippi) .
Antigona listeri (Gray)

Chione opima (Gmelin) .
Timoclea cochinensis (Sowerby)

Paphia literata (Linne) .

Paphia geographica (Gmelin) .
Paphia punicea (Deshayes)
Asaphis deflorata (Linne)

Cypraea (Erosaria) turdus Linn6
Cypraea (Erosaria) ocellata Linn6
Cypraea (Palmadusta) undata Linne
Cymatium cynocephalus (Lamarck)
Cymatium retusum (Lamarck)
Bursa crumena (Lamarck)
Ficus ficus (Linne)
Murex rujus Lamarck
Atys cylindrica (Hebling)
Conus amadis Gmelin

Mytilus lithophagus.
Ostrea pellucens Sol. MSS.

Venus divaricata ?
Venus meretrix.

Venus erycina var.

Venus erycina var.

Venus * * *

Venus cythereaea Sol. MSS.

Madras.

Venus meroe L.

Fort St. George.

Venus crassa Sol. MSS.

Venus nitida Sol. MSS.

Venus puerpera L.

Suratte, Siam.

Venus pectunculus Sol. MSS.

Madras, Pegu, etc.

Venus literata L.

Pegu.

Venus * * *

Venus * * *

Venus deflorata vars. A, B, C, D.

Pegu, Suratte, Malacca.

Cypraea undata.
Murex pyrum.
Murex pyrum.

Bulla ficus.
Murex ramosus L.

4. Shells from West Africa (Cape Verde Islands and Guinea Coast)

Smeathman, the botanist and entomologist, has already been mentioned among
the contributors to the Banks collection (p. 89), and there is little doubt that some
of the West African species listed below were collected during his employment by
Banks and others in 1771.

Cardita ajar Bruguiere

Cardium pectinatum Linne
Chlamys flabellum (Gmelin)

Venus rugosa L.
Coast of Guinea.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

"3

Pitaria floridella (Gray) .... Venus * * *

Coast of Guinea.

Cerithium sowerbyi Kiener . . . — — —

Cypraea (Zonaria) sanguinolenta Gmelin Cypraea purpurata Sol. MSS.

Murex megaceras Sowerby . . . — — —

Conus testudinaria Bruguiere . . Conus * * *

Conus testudinaria Bruguiere . . Conus St. Jago.

Two specimens of C. testudinaria have very clear St. Jago labels tucked inside the
shells, and it is likely that these were brought back from Cook's second voyage,
collected during the short stay at Port Praya on ioth July, 1772, perhaps by Capt.
Fumeaux whose name appears in the Solander manuscripts.

5. Specimens from the Mediterranean

Modiolus adriaticus Lamarck .

Lithophaga lithophaga (Linne)
Mytilus pictus Born
Chlamys opercularis (Linne)
var. Audouini Payraudeau

Chlamys opercularis (Linne)

var. subrufus Turton
Chlamys opercularis (Linne) .
Chlamys hyalina (Poli) .
Chlamys sulcatus (Born)
Chlamys flexuosus (Poli)
Lima lima (Linn6) ....
Lima inflata Lamarck
Lucina pecten Lamarck .
Macrocallista chione (Linne), Juvenile
Venus striatula Da Costa

Paphia aurea (Gmelin)
Corbicula fluminalis (Mull)

Cypraea (Zonaria) pyrum Gmelin .

Mytilus modiolus var: B.

Turkey.

Mytilus lithophagus.

Mytilus pictus.

Ostraea aspersa Sol. MSS.

Mare Neopolitano. Sir William

Hamilton.
Mediterranean .

Ostrea arguta Sol. MSS.
Ostrea glabra.
Ostrea glabra.

Ostrea lima.

Ostrea bullata.

Venus striatella.

Venus * * *

Venus casina L.

Gibraltar and Tangier.

Venus nebulosa Sol. MSS vars. A, B.

Venus fluminalis.

Euphrates.

Cypraea ochracea Sol. MSS.

6. British Species, mainly from Weymouth, Dorset

There are comparatively few British species in the Banks collection, but even these
are of interest, for most of them were given to him by the Duchess of Portland who
appears to have collected regularly at Weymouth and passed duplicates on to
Humphrey, Pulteney, Pennant, and many other workers on the British species.
It is seldom that her name does not occur somewhere in the conchological works of
the period. Thomas Pennant dedicated the fourth volume of his British Zoology
to her in 1777, " as a grateful acknowledgement of the many favours conferred by
Her Grace on her most obliged, and most obedient humble servant ". Richard
Pulteney, some years later, continually refers to the Portland cabinet in his Dorset-
shire Catalogue (1799), noting many species given to him by the Duchess.

ii 4

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Modiolus adriaticus Lamarck
Mytilus edulis Linne

Mytilus ruber Sol. MSS.

Mytilus edulis with the small crab.

This specimen of M. edulis still contains the remains of the small crab (Pinnotheres
sp.) noted on the label (dated 1780).

Mytilus edulis Linne
Musculus discors (Linne)

Near Deptford.

Mytilus discors testa minor albida.

Weymouth and Cornwall.

The last named species is the real Linnean M. discors, so frequently confused by
eighteenth-century authors with the large M. impactus already referred to above
(p. 98).

Chlamys opercularis (Linne)

Chlamys tigrinus (Mtiller)

Cyprina islandica (Linne)

Dosinia exoleta (Linne) .

Venus verrucosa Linne .
Venus casina (Linne) Juvenile
V. (Timoclea) ovata (Pennant)

V. (Clausinella) fasciata (Da Costa)

V. (Chamelea) striatula (Da Costa)

Paphia aurea (Gmelin)

Paphia virginea (Linne) .

Paphia pullastr a (Linne) .

Paphia decussata (Linne)

Irus irus (Linne)

Hiatella arctica (Linne) .
Hiatella gallicana (Lamarck)
Gastrochaena dubia (Pennant)

Ostrea glabra.

Anglia.

Ostrea obsoletus Sol. MSS.

Anglia.

Venus islandica.

Weymouth.

Venus lincta Sol. MSS.

Anglia, Weymouth.

Venus verrucosa.

Venus * * *

Venus crenulata Sol. MSS.

Anglia, Weymouth.

Venus * * *

Anglia and Ireland.

Venus gallina.

Weymouth.

Venus nebulosa Sol. MSS.

Anglia, Weymouth.

Venus virginea L.

Anglia, Weymouth.

Venus decussata vars. A, B.

Weymouth.

V. decussata L.

Weymouth.

Donax irus Linn.

Oceano Anglicano prope.

Weymouth.

Venus arctica.

Anglia, Weymouth.

Mytilus rugosus.

Weymouth. Duchess of Portland.

Mytilus pholadeus Sol. MSS.

Weymouth. Duchess of Portland.

The four Banks specimens of G. dubia, the My a dubia of Pennant, described in
1777, are in all probability part of the original set collected by the Duchess who was
said by Pulteney to have been the first to observe its occurrence in England.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

115

Trivia monacha (da Costa)
Trivia arctica (Pulteney) .

Cypraea pediculus.
Weymouth.
Cypraea pediculus.
Weymouth.

Most of the earlier authors followed Linne in regarding the small British Cowries
as varieties of his larger and deeply sulcated C. pediculus of the West Indies. Both
Pennant (1777, p. 115) and Pulteney (1799, p. 39) retained the Linnean pediculus,
but the latter accepted Solander's name arctica (taken from the Portland Catalogue)
for the unspotted British form, with the reservation that it might only be a variety
in a depauperated state. Solander evidently intended his C. arctica to apply to
both spotted and unspotted shells, marking his manuscript accordingly (var. A.
testa maculis, var. B, testa immaculata). Montagu (1803, p. 200) followed Pulteney
in allowing Solander's arctica for the spotless form, but in his Supplement of 1808
(p. 88) he reconsidered the matter, choosing the name eurcpaea for both spotted and
unspotted forms, and saying without hesitation that they were quite different from
the deeply sulcated foreign C. pediculus L. E. M. da Costa, however, had already
called both forms C. monacha (1778, p. 33), and this name was given preference to
Montagu's europaea by Winckworth in his revised list of the British Marine Mollusca
(1932), where the spotted and unspotted shells appear as subspecies of Trivia monacha
(da Costa) (184*1, T. monacha monacha, 184&, T. monacha arctica). Winckworth's
decision to separate the two forms was based on the researches of Peile (1925) who
found the radulae to be distinct. The later work of Lebour (1933) demonstrated
that the veligers of the two forms differed sufficiently to justify the recognition of
two distinct species.

In fairness to the earlier authors and collectors who were frequently under the
impression that the true C. pediculus occurred on European shores, it should be
mentioned that dead but fresh-looking shells of this West Indian species are still
occasionally seen on the British coast. Quite recently specimens were obtained
from a rock-pool at Pembroke. Such occurrences are well-known and can usually
be traced to ship's ballast or the discarding of unwanted shell collections.

Neptunea antiqua (Linne)
Sipho gracilis (da Costa) .
Ocinebra erinacea (Linne)
Hoeminia hydatis (Linne)
Cylichna cylindracea (Pennant)

Philene aperta (Linne)
Scaphander lignaria (Linne) .

Murex antiquus.

Murex erinaceus.

Bulla * * *

Bulla * * *

Weymouth. Duchess of Portland.

Oceano Anglicano.

Bulla lignaria. <

Weymouth. Duchess of Portland.

The presence of 5. lignaria in the Banks collection (ex. Portland) is a particularly
agreeable record with which to terminate this descriptive catalogue ; for although
the shell had been quite well known to authors since very early times, the proper
function of the remarkable gizzard plates does not appear to have been noted until
about 1780. A specimen of the gizzard of S. lignaria (with a small shell in process
of digestion wedged between the plates) was sent to the Duchess of Portland by a

n6 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

correspondent at Weymouth, and this was in her collection in 1786, appearing as
item No. 2219 in the sale catalogue, " A large specimen of Bulla lignaria, L. with its
stomach or gizzard taken out of it, a late and curious discovery ". It was bought by
Humphrey on behalf of Isaac Swainson who allowed him to describe it in a paper
read before the Linnean Society in 1789, and eventually published in the Transactions
with some excellent figures in 1794 (vol. 2, p. 15, tab. 2).

Specimens of S. lignaria from Weymouth complete with gizzard thereafter became
part of Humphrey's stock-in-trade, and were usually priced at one guinea (vide
Cracherode priced MSS. catalogue c. 1799).

In concluding this account of the Banks shell collection, it must be stated that
after such a long interval of time it has been necessary, here and there, to use corro-
borative evidence from other sources than the collection itself; but only the most
reliable evidence has been drawn upon, and supposition has been kept to a minimum.
Although a portion of the Banks collection is missing, enough remains to give a
fairly comprehensive idea of the contribution to knowledge of the mollusca made
by Solander and his contemporaries, during the eventful years of the second half of
the eighteenth century.

7. REFERENCES

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Brander, G. 1766. Fossilia Hantoniensia collecta et in Museo Britannico deposita, etc.

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THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 117

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Gage, A. T. 1938. A History of the Linnean Society of London, viii + 175 pp. ; Frontis-
piece ; 1 text-fig.; 11 pis. London. 4 .
Gmelin, J. F. 1790. C. a Linne . . . Sy sterna Naturae . . . Editio decima tertia . . .

cura J. F. Gmelin, 1788-93, 1 (6) : 3021-3910. Lipsiae.
Gray, J. E. 1825. A List and Descriptions of some Species of Shells not taken notice of by

Lamarck. Ann. Phil., 25 : 408.
Hanley, S. 1855. Ipsa Linnaei Conchylia. The Shells of Linnaeus, determined from his

Manuscripts and Collection . . . also, an exact reprint of the Vermes Testacea of the

" Sy sterna Naturae " and " Mantissa ". 556 pp. ; 6 pis. London.

1856. Index Testaceologicus, An Illustrated Catalogue of British and Foreign Shells . . .

by W. Wood . . . Revised Edition, xx-234 pp. ; 38 + 8 pis. London.

Hermann, J. 1782. Zweeter Brief fiber einige Conchylien au den Herausgeber. Der Natur-

forscher., 17 : 126-152, Tab. III.
Humphrey, G. 1779. Museum Humfredianum : a Catalogue of the . . . Museum of

Mr. G. Humphrey, etc., 168 pp. London.

1786. A Catalogue of the Portland Museum . . . which will be Sold by Auction . . .

on 24th April, 1786, and the Thirty-seven following days, etc. vii + 194 PP- ; 1 pi. London.

4°-

I794- Account of the Gizzard of ... Bulla lignaria. Trans. Linn. Soc. London.,

2 : 15-18 ; 1 pi.

1797- Museum Calonnianum, specification of the Various articles which compose the

. . . Museum of Natural History collected by M. de Calonne in France, etc. (Part 1.
viii -|- 84 pp.) London.

Iredale, T. 1916. Solander as a conchologist. Proc. Mai. Soc, 12 : 85-93.

n8 THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION

Iredale, T. 1935. Australian Cowries. Part I. The Australian Zoologist, 8 (2) : 96-135; 2 pis.

1939a. Australian Cowries. Part II. Ibid., 9 (3) : 297-323 ; 3 pis.

19396. Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-29, Scientific Reports, 5, No. 6. Mollusca

Part 1, 209-425 ; 7 pis., 1 map. British Museum (Natural History). London. 4 .

1948. Bullock Museum. The Australian Zoologist, 11 : 233-237 ; 1 text-fig.

Jackson, B. D. 1888. History of the Linnean Collections. Proc. Linn. Soc, 1887-88 ;

18-34.
Jackson, J. W. 191 7. Shells as evidence of the migrations of early culture. Pub. Univ.

Manchester, 112, xxviii + 216 pp. ; 13 text-figs.
Jeffreys, J. G. 1862-69. British Conchology. 5 vols., col. illus. London.
Keep, J. 1935. West Coast Shells, A Description of the Principal . . . Mollusks of the

United States . . . found West of the Sierra. Revised ed. by J. L. Bailey, Jr. xi + 350

PP- » 334 text-figs. California.
Laskey, J. 1813. A General Account of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow, including Historical

and Scientific notices of various objects of . . . Natural History, etc. v + 133 pp. Glasgow.
Leach, W. E. 1814-17. The Zoological Miscellany ; being Descriptions of New, or Interesting

Animals . . . illustrated with coloured figures by R. P. Nodder. 3 vols. London. 4 .
Lebour, M. V. 1933. The British species of Trivia : T. arctica and T. monacha. J. Mar.

biol. Ass. U.K., 18 : 477-484.
Lever, Sir A. 1806. Catalogue of the Leverian Museum. 7 parts and Appendix. 296 +

35 pp. London.
Linnaeus, C. 1758. Sy sterna Naturae . . . Editio decima, reformata, Tom. 1. 824 pp.

Holmiae.

1767. Systema Naturae . . . Editio duodecima reformata, Tom. 1. part 2 ; 533-1327

[36]. Holmiae.

Lister, M. 1685-92 (7). Historia sive Synopsis methodicae Conchyliorum . . . liber . . .

S. et A. Lister figur as pin. 6 pt. ; 1057 pis. Londini. fol.
Martini, F., & Chemnitz, J. 1769-1795. Neues Systematisches Conchylien Cabinet. 11

vols, illust. col. Nurnburg. 4 .
Martyn, T. 1784-92. The Universal Conchologist, exhibiting the figure of every known shell

. . . drawn and painted . . . with a new systematic arrangement. 4 vols. 160 col.

pis. ; English titles. London, fol.
Maton, G., & Rackett, T. 1804. A Descriptive Catalogue of the British Testacea. Trans.

Linn. Soc. London, 8 : 17-250 ; 6 col. pis.
Montagu, G. 1803-1808. Testacea Britannica, or Natural History of Shells, Marine, Land

and Freshwater, etc., 2 vols, and Supplement. Col. pis. London. 4 .
Montfort, P. de. 1808-10. Conchyliologie systematique et classification methodique des

Coquilles. 2 Tom. illus. Paris.
Muir, J. R. 1939. Captain Cook. 310 pp. ; 15 pis. ; 1 map. London.
Mullens, W. H. 1917. William Bullock's London Museum. Museums Journal, 17 : 51,

132, 180 ; 2 pis.
Parkinson, S. 1784. A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas, in H.M.S. " Endeavour "

. . . [Ed. 2.] To which is now added, Remarks on the Preface, by ... J. F other gill

. . . and an Appendix, xxiii + lxxi + 353 PP- ; portrait ; 27 pis. ; 2 maps. London.

4°.

Peile, A. J. 1925. The differentiation as species of the two forms of British Trivia. Proc.
Mai. Soc. London, 16 : 195-197 : 1 text-fig.

Pennant, T. 1777. British Zoology. 4 vols. Illus. London. 4 .

Powell, A. W. B. 1946. The Shellfish of New Zealand. Ed. 2. 106 pp. ; 26 pis. Auck-
land.

Pulteney, R. 1799. Catalogues of the Birds, Shells and some of the more rare Plants of Dorset-
shire. 92 pp. London, fol.

1813. Second ed. with additions by Rev. T. Rackett. iv + no pp. ; 24 pis. ; portrait.

London, fol.

THE BANKS SHELL COLLECTION 119

Reeve, L. 1841. Conchologia Systematica or Complete System of Conchology ; in which the

Lepades and Conchiferous Mollusca are described, etc. 300 col. pis. 2 vols. London. 4 .
Ricketts, E., & Calvin, J. 1948. Between Pacific Tides, xxvii + 365 pp. ; 129 figs. ;

46 pis. California.
Rogers, J. E. 1951. The Shell Book, xvi-503 pp. ; 95 pis. (Ed. 2). Boston. 4 .
Schilder, F. A., & Schilder, M. 1938-39. Prodrome of a Monograph on living Cypraedidae.

Proc. Mai. Soc. London, 23 : 1 19-231 ; text-fig. and maps.
Sharpe, R. B. 1906. See British Museum (Natural History).
Sherborn, C. D. 1905. Note on the " Museum Humfredianum " 1779. Ann. &> Mag.,

Nat. Hist. Ser. 7, 16 : 262-264.
Smith, E. A. 1906. See British Museum (Natural History).
Smith, Sir J. E. 1821. A Selection of the Correspondence of Linnaeus and other Naturalists,

from the Original Manuscripts. 2 vols. 10 pis. London.
Smith, Maxwell. 1940. World Wide Sea Shells, xviii + 139 pp. ; illus. Florida. 4 .
Sowerby, G. B. 1825. A Catalogue of the Shells . . . of the late Earl of Tankerville . . .

with an Appendix, vii + 92 + xxxiv pp. ; 8 col. pis. London.

1847-87. Thesaurus Conchyliorum or Monographs of Genera of Shells. Ed. by G. B.

Sowerby, fun. 5 vols. ; illus. London. 4 .

Suter, H. 1913. Manual of the New Zealand Mollusca. xxiii -f 1120 pp. ; 4 text-figs.
Wellington.

1 91 5. Atlas to the above. 71 pis. Wellington. 4 .

Swainson, W. 1820-23. Zoological Illustrations or Original Figures and Descriptions of Rare,
or Interesting Animals, etc., Ser. 1. 3 vols. 182 col. pis. London.

1840. A Treatise on Malacology ; or the Natural Classification of Shells and Shell-fish.

(Lardner's Cabinet cyclopaedia, vol. 127), viii + 419 pp. ; 130 text-figs. Engr. title.
London.

Thiele, J. 1931-1935. Handbuch der Systematischen Weichtierkunde. 2 Bde. vi + 778 ;

v + 779-1154 pp. ; illust. Jena.
Tomlin, J. R. le B. 1937. Catalogue of Recent and Fossil Cones. Proc. Mai. Soc. London.

22 : 205-330.
Turton, W. 1819. A Conchological Dictionary of the British Islands, xxvii + 272 pp. ;

28 col. pis. London.
Wilkins, G. L. 1952. The Shell Collections of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. /. Conch., 23 : 247-

259 ; 2 pis.

I953#- Notes from the British Museum. 1. Pinna. Proc. Mai. Soc. London, 30 :

23-29 ; 1 pi.

19536. A Catalogue and Historical Account of the Sloane Shell Collection. Bull. Brit.

Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Historical Series. 1, No. 1 : 1-47 ; 12 pis.

Winckworth, R. 1932. The British Marine Mollusca. /. of Conch., 19:211-252; 3

text-figs.
Wood, W. 1828. Index Testaceologicus ; or a Catalogue of Shells British and Foreign . . .

Supplement, iv + 59 pp. ; 8 col. pis. London.

8. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks are due to Professor C. M. Yonge, F.R.S., Department of Zoology,
University of Glasgow, for his cordial permission and co-operation in the search
for contemporary material in the Hunterian collections ; to the Officers of the
Linnean Society of London for many kindnesses and to Dr. W. J. Rees for his
helpful criticism of the manuscript. Mr. J. V. Brown, of the photographic staff,
British Museum (Natural History), has taken his usual care with the photographs
reproduced in the accompanying plates. .-• ; --.\4 ; ,

rwirt

EXPLANATION OF PLATES
(With the exception of figure I, all figures are actual size)

PLATE 14

Fig. 1. Complete drawer of specimens from the Banks collection, containing Cypraea and

Bulla.
Fig. 2. Banks reversible metal container.
Fig. 3. Original Linnean metal container.

Bull.

B.M,

{N.H.) History I, 3

PLATE 14

m .__

IjLlJHiw^ mm

■ ^n^a ^^^k 1MHV Ml ^- «■

■TOM! ^^^_

1 jMT __Ji_^jj

jgm| «■»

4K ' 'm^ ^h

rist&m

{ r *"- ____^ 1

js&. 9wfMX ?3ft S

lit n* il • * •

TTS2?1iBf

'* : Vl^tt

^J ^^ -ft ^

•*♦* V

H

.» i.*

Fig. i.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 2.

PLATE 15

Fig. 4. Musculus impactus (Hermann), New Zealand.

Fig. 5. Solander's pencilled locality label.

Fig. 6. Cluster of M. impactus, still enclosed in the byssal threads.

Fig. 7. Manuscript description, finally attributed to Mytilns discors L.

Bull. B.M. {N.H.) History I, 3

PLATE 15

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

"> fsi'

Fig. 6.

*/

r vf~

A*

0tj — $***■■■ ^ c ^^

/

Fig. 7.

PLATE 16
Fig. 8. Circe scripta (L.).
Fig. g. Buccinulum mulHUneum Powell.
Fig. 10. Batissa triquetra Deshayes, marked Nova Cambria.
Fig. 11. Pyrazus ebeninus (Brug.), with Saxostrea commercialis attached.
Fig. 12. Colus colus (L.).
Fig. 13. Cymatium chlorostoma (Lamk.).
Fig. 14. Pinctada reeveana (Dunker).
Fig. 15. Brachidontes hirsutus (Lamk.).

Bull. B.M. [N.H.) History i, 3

PLATE 16

PLATE 17

Fig. 16. Lectotype of Macrocallista nimbosa [Humphrey], with Solander's label.
Fig. 16a, b. Smaller specimen of M. nimbosa marked Antigua, W.I.
Fig. 17. Manuscript description of Venus nimbosa.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History i, 3

PLATE 17

/*//_ /#t

&n% u~tnf&-

T

f

><#c»;

4L fnf*^

t^ri*

'tf^Zcrr* >&c4L ***

Fig. 17

PLATE i 8

Fig. 18. Solander's manuscript description of Mytilus demissus, with full set of locator
initials.

Fig. 19. Lectotype of Modiolus demissus (Dillwyn), with Solander label.

Fig. 20a, b, c. Anomalocardia flexuosa (L), with the Venus flexuosa label altered to Phryne L.

Bull. B.M. {N.H.) History i, 3

PLATE 1;

£>Qyryyt,^4c. v

ai ef

4jt4li^v a^lci frzL^t* o^ff-^t ixkun* &-/l/isrir&+

t / » t*^\

-</. ~f 2 ^g : /'9/]_ fr^CJ

°tt' •&£$rf~™ 0t*^ns» ^ &r**^'c*r ^

%*vrihr? r^t^lt 7 : i/W^i-

<Wl JL . ftHsD"

i^~~t^rt^

Fig. 20.

PLATE 19

Fig. 21. Solander's manuscript description of Venus rigida.

Fig. 22. Manuscript label found in the container.

Fig. 23-24. Lectotype of Ventricola rigida (Dillwyn), left valve marked with the type
locality Rio de Janeiro.

Bull. B.M. (N.H.) History I, 3

PLATE 19

//■*«*->

4.x/ar.

£} J^/* pi/6n

?'■

Cs> <?^n* flV 61 ,^-i %} y>}~f /i , i>y»t >

<Jjc<5Tlc ?i r«~u^i

X

V~ dL-TT\_C

III

i^f f*!2LL

^yZPu^ . Q^2^^2^~~^

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Fig. 21.

tr

J/fo-y^r ^-C^C^I

Fig. 22.

Fig. 23.

Fig. 24.

PRESENTED

1 4 FEB 1955

'<>

3* *(/■

^

&L *$

THE

CRACHERODE

SHELL COLLECTION

GUY L. WILKIN S

(iM&ftfK vt(en)<iu*ihQ m d & £)o

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. i No. 4

LONDON : 1957

THE

CRACHERODE

SHELL COLLECTION

BY

GUY L. WILKINS

Pp. 121-184 ; Pis. 20-25

BULLETIN OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
HISTORICAL SERIES Vol. 1 No. 4

LONDON: 1957

THE BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY), instituted in 1949, is
issued in five series corresponding to the Departments
of the Museum, and an Historical series.

Parts appear at irregular intervals as they become
ready. Volumes will contain about three or four
hundred pages, and will not necessarily be completed
within one calendar year.

This paper is Vol. 1, No. 4 of the Historical series.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Issued March 1957 Price Twenty-one Shillings

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

By GUY L. WILKINS

CONTENTS

i. Origin and Growth of the Collection

2. General Account and Present Condition .

3. Notes on the Cracherode Manuscript Catalogues

4. Use Made of the Collection by Various Authors

5. List of Cracherode Shells from the Calonne Collection

6. Conclusion .........

7. A Brief Biography of C. M. Cracherode .

8. References ........

9. Acknowledgments .......

Page
123
125
131
134
169

175
175
178
184

SYNOPSIS

The following account of the Cracherode shell collection is the last of a trilogy, in which
attempts have been made to place upon record some historical data concerning the seventeenth
and eighteenth century material still extant in the British Museum (Natural History). The
collection was bequeathed to the Museum by the Revd. Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode in 1799,
and was apparently the first to be added to the mollusca collections included in the vast private
museum of Sir Hans Sloane (1666-1753), acquired by the Government for the foundation of a
National Museum in 1753.

The existence of the Cracherode shells, which formed part of the first exhibited series, was
only previously known from the very inadequate account given by Edgar A. Smith in 1906.
A recent revaluation of the collection (long since incorporated into the large General collection),
together with the existing manuscript catalogues and contemporary literature, has revealed
that it is of considerable importance, since it contains a number of types and many figured
specimens not previously recorded. This revaluation also clears up the hitherto mistaken iden-
tities of the original compilers of the Cracherode manuscript catalogues, and emphasizes the
painstaking work of several officers of the British Museum during the formative years at Montague
House, Bloomsbury.

No attempt has been made to compile a complete catalogue of the Cracherode collection, but
lists have been prepared which include notes on the types and figured specimens. The plates
show reproductions of pages from the various manuscript catalogues, and a limited number of
the most important Cracherode specimens.

1. ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE COLLECTION

Natural productions formed only a part of the Cracherodean material bequeathed
to the Museum in 1799, for (as will be shown later) Cracherode was mainly a biblio-
phile and print collector, and according to the dating of his manuscript catalogues
a taste for natural history was acquired rather late in his life, from about 1788
onward. Nevertheless he was as particular in the selection of choice specimens of
shells as of books and prints, the recorded prices paid for individual specimens being
hist, i, 4. 8

124 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

remarkably high in relation to present-day standards. Money, however, was no
great object, for Cracherode had a comfortable and even ample income, and there is
no doubt he fully intended to build up a library and collection worthy of our first
National Museum, of which he was a most conscientious Trustee.

All that is vouchsafed to us in E. A. Smith's account noted above, under the year
1799, is that " In this year 794 specimens, still marked ' Mus. Cracherode ' were
bequeathed by the Rev. Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode. A MS. catalogue of this
collection is extant, and is of interest, as the specimens are marked with the prices
paid for them to the well-known dealer George Humphrey ".

The importance of the Cracherode bequest to the Museum, however, should not
be under-estimated, for it was the first addition to be made to the Sloane shells.
These must have been still in much the same condition as they were left by their
former owner when the Museum finally opened to the public in 1759. Admission to
view the collections in Montague House was then, and for some years after, a long
and tedious business. All but the largest specimens were kept in closed cabinets,
and the smaller objects could only be examined by special appointment, and as only
two officers could be provided to care for the whole of the natural history collections
(Fletcher, 1904, p. 343), it is not surprising that working naturalists still continued
to amass large private collections.

It has been shown elsewhere (Wilkins, 1953, p. 4) that Sir Hans Sloane added
little or no material to his collections after 1747, and as far as can be ascertained no
additional shells came to the Museum after his death until 1799. 1 Thus there was
not a single conchological specimen in the National collection from all the new
localities visited by Byron, Wallace and Cook in both hemispheres during the
intervening years. Cracherode may have realized this, for his collection of shells
contained examples of the many novelties brought from New Holland, New South
Wales, New Zealand and North America by Cook and his contemporaries.

The paucity of material from these newly-discovered territories was partly due to
lack of purchasing power during the Museum's earlier years, returning voyagers
finding a more ready and speedy market for their curiosities among the legion of
wealthy collectors then resident in the metropolis. Principal among these were the
Duchess of Portland, Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. John Fothergill, William and John
Hunter, Thomas Martyn and a host of others eager to purchase the strange and
beautiful things brought back by the officers and men who accompanied Captain
Cook on his three important voyages.

It has been remarked by previous authors, notably Bowdler Sharpe (1906, pp.
162 & 226) that even Sir Joseph Banks, who had so much of this new material at his
disposal, allowed many of the natural history specimens to go to others at this time
instead of to the British Museum, of which he was a Trustee and otherwise liberal
donor. He occupied much the same position in the eyes of the vendors of specimens
as did Sir Hans Sloane at the beginning of the century, and that they frequently
applied to Banks first is clearly shown in the two following letters quoted by Smith
(i9ii,p.45):

1 There is the possibility that some shells came with the collections of the Royal Society, presented
to the Museum in 1781, but none have so far been identified.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 125

Daniel Solander to Joseph Banks

" London, August 21, 1775. My dear Sir, Mr. Harlock has sent to your house the
plants I mentioned in my last letter. They are collected near Tranquebar by the
Brethren of the Moravians, and as good specimens as I have seen . . . Several of
the Resolution's men have called at your house to offer you their curiosities . . .
Captain Cook has sent all his curiosities to my apartments at the Museum. All
the shells are to go to Lord Bristol. Four casks have your name on them, and I
understand they contain Birds and Fish, etc."

The second letter is couched in humble terms and came from a certain John Marr
on board the Resolution, also dated 1775 :

" Begging pardon for my Boldness. I take this opportunity for acquainting
your Honour of our arrival. After a long and tedious Voyage. Having met with
extraordinary good success to the S'd and elsewhere, from many strange Isles I have
procured your Honour a few curiosities as good as could be expected from a person
of my capacity. Together with a small assortment of shells. Such as was esteem'd
by pretended Judges of Shells. We have many experimental men in our ship that
pretended to know . . . Depend upon it, Sir, I shall take special care of sending
the above mention'd articles. When in order and an opportunity serves ".

One suspects that the two formidable Forsters — father and son — who caused so
much unpleasantness on Cook's second voyage may have been among the " experi-
mental men " so scathingly referred to by Mr. Marr!

Thus for one reason or another none of the newly-discovered shells appear to have
reached the Museum until 1799, after the dispersal of several large collections, each
containing a fair proportion of these novelties. All Cracherode's shells were supplied
to him by George Humphrey (?i745-i83o), who during a long life disposed of many
famous collections, the largest being those of Dr. John Fothergill (sold in 1781), the
Duchess of Portland (1786), and the Prince of Calonne (1797). For each of these
Humphrey prepared elaborate catalogues. He greatly increased his own stock from
the last two of these sales, so that Portland and Calonne specimens, which included
many from Australia and New Zealand, eventually found their way into the
Cracherode collection, their origin being noted in the original manuscript catalogue.
Humphrey's large and comprehensive stock enabled him to supply Cracherode with
choice specimens at regular intervals, which he continued to do until shortly before
the latter's death on 5th April, 1799.

2. GENERAL ACCOUNT AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE COLLECTION

According to the two finely-written catalogues, the Cracherode collection of
minerals, fossils, shells, corals and echinoderms was dealt with by the Museum
authorities very shortly after its reception. Although the manuscript catalogues
are not signed or dated, the paper used in the first is watermarked 1799 (minerals
and fossils) and that in the second 1801 (recent shells, corals and echinoderms). The
specimens were all numbered consecutively on the left hand side of the pages, each
group commencing with number one, the numbers being written in ink on the
corresponding specimens by the same hand. The numbers of fossil animals were

126 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

preceded by the letters ZZ and fossil plants by AAA. A small pink disc bearing
the full name " Cracherode ", " Crach " or " Cr." was at the same time attached
to each, a method that seems to have applied to all groups entered in these two
catalogues.

At the time of its receipt the collection of shells as listed contained 789 species or
varieties (794 including five cirripedes). In most instances only a single good
example of each kind was purchased by Cracherode, but occasionally two and some-
times three specimens of variable shells were included in the price charged by
Humphrey, and catalogued under the same number. Thus there are approximately
ninety-three extra shells to be added to the figure given above, making a grand
total of 897 Cracherode shells, which together with the minerals (excluding gems)
were valued for remittance of Legacy Tax in 1799 at £2,000 (Synopsis, Ed. 2, p. xxiv).

A recent search among the shells comprising the large General collection, with
which they were incorporated during the i82o's, reveals that most of the Cracherode
shells are still available and in reasonably good condition. All but the largest
specimens are mounted on the standard neutral grey tablets, each marked " Mus.
Crach " in the right hand bottom corner of the tablet (pi. 25, fig. 15). It is not
yet known how Cracherode stored his specimens, but in the early days most of the
smaller Museum specimens were kept in closed cabinets, and it was not until the
beginning of the nineteenth century, when freer access to the collections became
possible, that specimens began to be arranged in glass table cases for inspection by
the general public.

The Cracherodean minerals were among the first to be exhibited in this way,
together with the clearly written manuscript catalogue (Fletcher, 1094, p. 344), and
there is ample evidence that a selection of the Cracherode shells was also exhibited
at the same time. This evidence may be found in the second edition of the Synopsis
of the Contents of the British Museum, issued in 1809, in which is given a general
description of the contents of the thirty-eight rooms occupied by the collections in
Montague House. Room IX was devoted to "Petrifactions and Shells " (pp.
27-31) ; sixteen cases round the walls of this room held an assortment of fossil
bones, horns, corals and vegetables, with large shells, such as the Giant " Clamp "
(Tridacna) placed on top of them. The floor space was occupied by five table cases
containing various marine productions, table number one being devoted to the
Cracherode shells. The summary of the contents of this case is so brief that it may
well be quoted in full (pp. 28-30) :

(28)
ROOM IX. CRACHERODEAN COLLECTION OF SHELLS

In this table is deposited Mr. Cracherode's valuable collection of shells. Among
Nat. Hist, thegg some f the most remarkable are the following :
TABLE

I. Univalves

(Division 1.) A paper nautilus or argonaut shell, remarkable for the lightness of
its fabric, and the elegance of its shape. It is inhabited by an animal not unlike
a cuttle fish, by extending a pair of membranes adhering to the top of its longest
arms, has the power of sailing on the surface of the sea,

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

127

Agate and zebra snails : one of these being polished appears as a beautiful rose
colour.

(Div. 2.) Cone shells : a very rich assortment : among these are the admirals ;
the most remarkable of which are the orange admiral, and the cedo nulli : porce-
lain shells or cowries ; the argus cowry ; and the orange cowry, the

(29)

latter from New Holland ; sea ears, which are usually of an obscure colour

externally, but of a bright pearl-colour internally ; when uncoated and polished

the outside appears highly brilliant.

(Div. 3.) Snails properly so called, of various kinds ; one of the most remarkable

is the ringent or grinning snail, having the opening divided by tooth-like processes ;

the water pot.

(Div. 4.) The carrier trochus, covered with fragments of stone ; the wentle-

trap ; mitres ; a music shell ; the great oriental volute, or Voluta magnifica ;

the imperial volute ; the orange flag volute, &c.

Bivalves

(Div. 5.) The Chinese heart-cockle ; the yellow heart-cockle ; the red anomia, &c.
(Div. 6.) The mother-of-pearl shell, in its young or small state ; the hound's
ear oyster ; the cock's-comb oyster ; many beautiful shells of the scallop kind.
(Div. 7.) Several varieties of the red and white thorny oysters ; tellinae, &c.

ROOM IX.

Nat. Hist.

TABLE
I.

(30)

Multivalves

Among the most remarkable of these are the barnacle shells, some of which
often adhere to the bottom of ships and to other substances. One of the most
elegant species occurs in this collection, forming a group of numerous individuals
intermixed with small muscles, and is called the horn of plenty barnacle, or
Lepas cornucopiae.

(Div. 8.) Various beautiful specimens of corals, echini, &c. ; a pink pearl ; a
Medusa's head, and other star-fish, &c.

It is here to be observed, that the more general and scientific, but less splendid
collection of shells belonging to the Museum, is deposited in drawers in the imposts
round the room.

It will be noticed from this very brief itinerary that with one exception only
vernacular names were as yet used to describe the exhibited specimens. Nevertheless
a number of items particularly mentioned can readily be distinguished as those still
in existence. Among these are the polished zebra snail, a large artificially-polished
Achatina panther a (Crach. 83) ; the orange cowry, the well-known and still valuable
Cypraea aurantium (Crach. 204) ; the sea ears or Haliotis, including Leach's type
specimens of H. cracherodii and H. rubra (Crach. 237 & 233), and polished examples
of Haliotis irus and naevosa of which " the outside appears highly brilliant " (Crach.
231 & 232) ; the ringent or grinning snail Anostoma octodentatum (Crach. 269) ; the
thorny woodcock Murex scohpax (Crach. 296) ; the carrier trochus " covered with

128 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

fragments of stone " Xenophora conchyliophora (Crach. 444) and the great oriental
volute Voluta magnified (Crach. 47).

While it is unlikely that the Cracherode specimens were mounted and labelled on
tablets at this early period, some of the shells (particularly the bivalves) had the
Linnean and Gmelin names written boldly upon them in the hand of the compiler
of the Museum catalogue (PI. 21, fig. 3a, b, c), now known to be Dr. Edward Whitaker
Gray (1748-1806). At the time of the second edition of the Synopsis (1809) and for
a year or two afterwards, no more than fifteen people could be conducted through
the rooms of the Museum at one time, and as only a few minutes was allowed in each,
individual labelling was scarcely necessary, the summary of each room printed in
the Synopsis being considered sufficient " for persons who take the usual cursory
view of the Museum ". But manuscript catalogues similar to those compiled by
E. W. Gray for the Cracherode minerals and shells were apparently in preparation
for the use of students in all departments (Synopsis, ed. 2, p. xxxiv).

The mollusca collections were certainly mounted and labelled and in fairly good
order by 1828, for by that time William Wood was able to state in the Supplement
to his Index Testaceologicus published in May, 1828 (Preface, p. iii) that " the majority
of the shells have been figured from specimens in the British Museum, and the
names attached to them in that collection have been adopted ".

That the Museum collections were in good order, and even contained recently-
named and as yet unfigured specimens by 1828, indicates that a great deal of work
had been done in a comparatively short space of time, and that they had already
assumed an entirely different aspect from the days when the Cracherode shells formed
the only exhibited series. Attempts had certainly been made to arrange the
Cracherode collection according to Lamarck by Dr. Leach, who " cast aside con-
temptuously the fetters of the Linnean School " (Johnston, 1850, p. 555) ; but much
of the older Museum material " disposed in drawers in the imposts round the room ",
still remained to be sorted. Leach was mainly an entomologist and often became
absorbed in " many and various other similar interminable investigations " (Swainson
1840, p. 239), so that he probably did little more than start the rearrangement of
the collections before his illness and subsequent retirement in 1822.

The great changes that became evident during the years 1823 to 1828 were due,
firstly to the appointment of John George Children (i777-i8agr)to the Assistant
Keepership of the Natural History Department in 1823, and secondly to the appoint-
ment of a young man named John Edward Gray (1800-75) as his assistant in the
following year. Children became particularly interested in the mollusca, and one
of his first tasks was to compile a manuscript catalogue or check-list of the whole of
the collection, both recent and fossil, a task nobly carried out in a thick folio volume
still preserved in the Department of Zoology. Even this, however, did not include
all the earlier Sloane material (which appears to have been finally sorted at a later
date) only certain items being selected to complete the exhibited series.

Earlier lists compiled by Solander and later by E. W. Gray were naturally based
on the 10th, 12th and 13th (Gmelin) editions of Linne's Systema Naturae, for at
that time British conchology was entirely Linnean since the war with France pre-
cluded free access to continental literature. By the time of Children's appointment

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 129

(1823) the last three volumes of the Histoire Naturelle des Animaux sans Vertebres
were already available, and this gave the opportunity to start afresh, cataloguing
and arranging the Museum collections in accordance with Lamarck's system, which if
not absolutely faultless, was considered by Children to be " at least superior to any
other general system extant ".

The new catalogue or check-list was in effect an exact copy of all the families,
genera and species listed by Lamarck in the Histoire, entered in precisely the same
systematic order, with the tablet numbers of Museum specimens noted in red ink
in a special column. The donors' names (Cracherode's most prominent among
them) were also entered in red ink in another column. Occasional contributors to
the collection included Lamarck himself, Dufresne, Stutchbury, Goodall, Bonelli
and several lesser-known contemporary naturalists. At this time, and until 1837,
the mollusca collections included fossil as well as recent shells, thus a large number of
entries in Children's catalogue refer to fossil species (mostly from Grignon) and these
are distinguished by the letter " F " in red ink.

Children's firm attachment to Lamarck's system was emphasized by the publica-
tion of his only work on the mollusca, a translation of Lamarck's Genera of Shells,
which appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Science from 1822 to 1824, during his
editorship of that journal. Further reference to this will be made later, but as it
ran concurrently with the preparation of the Museum catalogue and rearrangement
of the exhibited collections, it entailed a thorough search for suitable specimens for
illustration and exhibition. Numerous Cracherode shells were used for both
purposes, and from Children's pencil notes in the E. W. Gray manuscript catalogue it
is evident that he checked practically the whole of the Cracherode collection at this
time (c. 1822-24).

No new species appear to have been described as a result of this examination, a
deficiency amply rectified by Children's new assistant Mr. J. E. Gray. Even at the
age of twenty-four he was no stranger to the mollusca, having already published A
Natural Arrangement of the Mollusca in the London Medical Repository for 1821. 1
This was followed by some descriptions of new species in his own Zoological Miscellany
commenced in the same year. In 1824, the year of his Museum appointment, he
contributed a description of the shells in the Appendix to Parry's Voyage, and
several articles on mollusca in the first volume of the Zoological Journal. These
included the now classic monograph on the Cypraeidae, much of which was based on
Museum material and his own considerable private collection.

During the rearrangement and cataloguing of the mollusca collections by Children
and Gray, it was soon noticed that there were a number of species not known to
Lamarck, and these were published by Gray (but without figures) in the February
and June issues of the Annals of Philosophy for 1825. Some of the undescribed
Cracherode shells were included among Gray's new species, and these were accordingly
added to the Museum manuscript catalogue, labelled (many by Children himself),
and placed on exhibition, thus enabling Wood to figure them for the first time in

1 It may not be generally known that Gray's early arrangement published in this rather obscure
journal was given in full by Johnston (1850, pp. 560-7), where it is also noted that it was reprinted by
Ferussac in the French Bulletin in 1824.

i 3 o THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

his Supplement of 1828. Children's catalogue was further added to from time to
time, often only in pencil in J. E. Gray's unmistakable scrawl, until in 1837 it was
finally laid aside in favour of the system of registration in use to-day.

The great change in the arrangement of the mollusca collections at this time can
readily be traced from the various editions of the Synopsis issued from 1823 onward,
that for the year 1827 (ed. 25) being particularly enlightening, for by that time the
exhibited collection had grown from the single table in 1809 to no less than 27 cases,
all arranged on Lamarckian lines. The descriptions of these cases occupies pages
59-67 of the Synopsis of 1827, in which particular attention is directed to the recent
change in the nomenclature used on the tablets. However, staunch adherents to
Linne had still to be accommodated, and this was accomplished by placing the
Lamarckian names on the left of the tablets and the Linnean on the right. No
tablets labelled in this way are now extant.

The testimony of an anonymous and somewhat disgruntled visitor to the Museum
at this period (published in Article II of the Magazine of Natural History for May
1828) is of interest. It was sent in the form of a letter to the editor, dated March
1828 (signed with the initial " B ") and purported to be some observations on the
causes that had retarded the growth of natural history in this country, and on the
" defective state of our Public Museums ", in which the correspondent opines " It
is more than twelve years since I was induced to expect that a scientific arrangement
of shells would be undertaken ; but after visiting the Museum for ten years . . .
I discontinued my visits, as there appeared every probability that the present
generation would pass away before it was accomplished. There were, indeed, some
cases, with shells placed to amuse the spectator by the splendour of their colours, or
the beauty of their forms ; but there was no systematic arrangement of them, nor
were the shells labelled or described ".

This account confirms the suggestion already made that the shells were not fully
labelled in the early 1800's. It is evident that some improvement was expected
from 1816 onward, during the regime of W. E. Leach, but for various reasons this
did not materialize. By 1826, " B " 's patience was exhausted, and visits to the
Museum were discontinued, but oddly enough it was just at this time that concrete
results of Children and Gray's efforts began to be seen in the public gallery, as proved
by the Synopsis of 1827 noted above. The publication of " B " 's criticism in May
1828 must have prompted some well-meaning friend to suggest a visit to the British
Museum, for in the very next issue of the Magazine of Natural History (Article II,
July 1828) " B " hastens to make amends, saying inter alia " I can truly say, it
gave me much pleasure to observe that a spirit of improvement had visited the
British Museum, and that some of the arrangements . . . were at length
accomplished in a satisfactory manner ". Room No. 8, " B " graciously observes
" contains the collection of recent shells, in 26 cases, well arranged, and conveniently
displayed for inspection. The names of Lamarck are on one side, and those of
Linnaeus (which are here more generally known) on the other ". But even this
improvement did not satisfy, for having previously complained that the earlier
exhibit of shells had been arranged merely for the splendour of colour or beauty of
form, " B " now regards the longed-for systematic collection " rather as a useful

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 131

than splendid one, compared even with private collections in this country ". The
only clue to the identity of this anonymous critic is a definite bias in favour of the
Paris collections, which were considered to be far in advance of our own. 1 It is
some consolation to the museum worker to know that it was just as difficult to
satisfy everybody over a century ago as it is to-day.

After 1827 the mollusca collections continued to grow apace, due largely to the
continued interest of J. E. Gray, who with the assistance of Mrs. Gray was personally
responsible for their arrangement. By 1841 the exhibited series alone filled thirty-
eight cases. By 1856 this number had increased to fifty-two, until finally the
exhibited collection filled well over 200 cases.

During all these years from about 1802 until 1936, when the large shell gallery at
South Kensington was closed to the public, the Cracherode shells formed an integral
part of the exhibited series. The writer well remembers seeing tablets marked
" Mus. Crach " among the many thousands of shells comprising examples of every
known family and genus arranged in systematic order, which were always on view
for study by regular and casual visitors to the Museum. Even to-day a few
Cracherode shells — notably a polished Ear Shell (Haliotis iris), in the case devoted
to shell structure, and a group of red and white Thorny Oysters (Spondylus
americanus), both mentioned in the Synopsis of 1809 — are still on view in the much
smaller post-war gallery allotted to the mollusca, which was arranged and opened
in 1951.

In spite of long exposure to the light, the Cracherode shells are still in fairly good
condition. The large number of specimens available makes it economically
impossible to segregate them all from the General collection, but a representative
series including recently recognized types and figured specimens has been set aside,
to make the Cracherode collection comparable with those of Sloane, Banks and
Pennant now kept as separate units.

3. NOTES ON THE CRACHERODE MANUSCRIPT CATALOGUES

There are four manuscript catalogues connected with the Cracherode collection
in the British Museum (Natural History), two of which are preserved in the Depart-
ment of Minerals and two in the Department of Zoology. Three of these volumes
are in quarto and one in octavo, two of the quartos dealing with minerals, fossil
shells, corals and echinoderms, and one with recent shells, corals and echinoderms.
The remaining octavo contains recent shells only. One of each of these two pairs of
catalogues is a fair and well-written copy of the other, stating on the title page of
each that it was compiled from a catalogue prepared by George Humphrey, the
dealer who supplied Cracherode with the specimens (PL 20, fig. 1.). This declaration
is now known to be partly true of the mineral catalogue, but quite untrue of the one
dealing with the recent shells.

1 It is quite possible that the anonymous critic may have been Mrs. Sarah Bowdich (1791-1856),
wife of T. Bowdich (1791-1824) the well-known conductor of the Mission to Ashantee, and author of
the Elements of Conchology published in Paris and London in 1822. Mrs. Bowdich was versed in
conchology, having drawn all the plates for her husband's work. She also contributed several articles
under her own name in the early numbers of the Magazine of Natural History, mostly in praise of the
work of Cuvier, with whom she and her husband stayed during their residence in Paris,

13* THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

The known hand-writing of the original mineral catalogue shows that it was
certainly started by Humphrey, and then apparently handed to Cracherode with the
representative collection systematically arranged and numbered. To this first
series Cracherode continued to add items from time to time, entering each one in
his own hand, and continuing the consecutive numbering from Humphrey's last
entry.

There is no doubt that the small, rather crabbed writing in darker ink (PI. 21,
fig. 2.), is that of C. M. Cracherode, for it has recently been compared with the
carefully written catalogue of his library (in his own autograph) now preserved in
the Department of Manuscripts at Bloomsbury (Add. 11360). Further proof may
be found in the personal monogram formed from the initials " C. M. C." written
upon the fly-leaf of the library catalogue, which is the counterpart of one in miniature
on the fly-leaf of the mineral catalogue dated 1788. This was the year in which
Cracherode's taste for acquiring natural history specimens may be said to have
started.

The Humphrey-Cracherode mineral catalogue, although numbered, does not
include the prices paid for individual specimens which appear in the fair copy,
and it therefore seems likely that Cracherode kept Humphrey's original priced labels
with the specimens, perhaps in the small " cards " then in vogue. 1 The possibility
that there were other priced catalogues remaining in Humphrey's possession in 1799
and lent for copying has not been overlooked, but the presence of several rough
notes and computations of the number of species in the collection in E. W. Gray's
writing, bound in with the original Cracherode catalogue, indicates that it was from
this and the Humphrey labels that he compiled the fair copy, destroying the labels
when the work was completed.

The title page of the octavo catalogue containing the recent shells, dated 1791
by Cracherode, bears a note in the autograph of J. E. Gray to the effect that it was
the work of Edward Whitaker Gray. A further note was added by E. A. Smith on
the fly-leaf stating that " This is interesting as showing the large prices fetched for
some shells at that date ". Neither J. E. Gray nor Smith seem to have connected
this small catalogue with Cracherode, although the wording of the entries is almost
identical with that of the fair copy (PI. 22, figs. 4 & 5), and thus it appears in the
printed library catalogue of the British Museum (Natural History) (Vol. 2, p. 711,
1904) as a priced catalogue of shells by Edward Whitaker Gray, with Smith's brief
observation attached.

1 Many items in the Portland Catalogue of 1786 consist of varying numbers of "cards " containing
small shells ; Lot 2073 for instance comprises " Twenty-five cards containing various species of
univalves " and Lot 2193 " Seven cards of rare univalves ". Although this suggests that small shells
were glued to card mounts for safety, it is now known that the cards mentioned so frequently were in
fact early plain-backed playing cards utilized by collectors for specimen trays. Instructions for making
such trays may be found in a letter from Lewis Morris to his brother William Morris of Anglesea in 1756,
recently quoted by Matheson (1955, pp. 264-5) in which Lewis says " Cards can be bought ... at
4^d. and 6d. a pound, taking two pound together . . . They are such as have small blemishes not fit
to be put in ye packs ". He then goes on to explain in some detail the making of these trays or " Boats "
as he calls them. The Morris brothers were friends of Thomas Pennant and it is interesting to record
that a few contemporary examples of card boats have been found in the latter's shell collection in the
British Museum, Natural History, one or two of which still retain the playing card motives (notably a
complete three of spades) on the reverse. Trade and invitation cards were also used for this purpose,
until at a later date properly made cardboard trays were supplied by natural history dealers.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 133

This whole catalogue, written in three parts (not two as stated in the B. M.
catalogue entry quoted above) was the work of C. M. Cracherode and compiled
between the years 1791 and 1799. The writing, although crabbed and at times
palsied, is quite legible but scarcely compares with his finely-written library catalogue,
for there are numerous alterations and erasures throughout, due no doubt to un-
familiarity with the objects themselves. Unlike the mineral catalogue, the shell
catalogue does not give the number of the entries, but the price paid for each item is
included, with some additional information not entered in the fair copy made by
E. W. Gray in 1801. Part I of this small shell catalogue is devoted to Univalves
(A to M only) ; Part II Bivalves and Part III Multivalves. Corals and echinoderms
are not included, but appear in the form of an appendix in the fair copy, which
again suggests that Humphrey's labels were with the specimens when received in
1799.

As already stated, the two fair copies made from Cracherode's originals were
certainly the work of Edward Whitaker Gray, great-uncle to John Edward and a
former Keeper of the Natural History Department and Secretary of the British
Museum. Here again authorship has been satisfactorily proved by comparison with
some E. W. Gray letters preserved at Bloomsbury (Add. 33981-59 & 63), and also
with his signature in the Charter Book of the Royal Society of London, of which
he was elected a Fellow in 1779 and Secretary in 1797.

It would have been difficult even for an expert to identify correctly all the shells
in the Cracherode collection at the time of its reception. E. W. Gray had the whole
of the Natural History Department, (which then included antiquities and coins)
in his custody, and could do little more than compile a numbered list from the
manuscript catalogues and Humphrey's labels. Humphrey was familiar with the
10th and 12th editions of Linne's Systema, but probably not with the 13th (Gmelin)
edition of 1791, so that if a Linnean name could not be found for a specimen he
frequently resorted to those of Solander used in the Portland and Calonne catalogues,
together with the old established vernacular names, modified forms of which are
still in use to-day.

E. W. Gray made a valiant attempt to supply the names of Gmelin and Chemnitz
wherever possible. These he entered under the appropriate number on the opposite
page of the catalogue, frequently leaving blanks where the species could not be
satisfactorily identified from available literature, or had not then been described.
Humphrey was a master of the conchological vernacular, so that the Cracherode
manuscript catalogues form most interesting " repositories " of such euphonious
names as the Brindled Music Shell, the Coronated Wild Music, the Guinea Admiral,
Undulated Midas's Ear, the Pullet's Egg Anomia and the Furbelowed Clamp.
Notwithstanding the passing of rather more than 150 years since Humphrey's
day, the examples quoted above are no more fanciful than many used quite recently.
An American author has ingeniously found or devised a vernacular name for each of
the 1,100 scientific names used in his book, from which it appears that the following
short paragraph, concluding a list of current vernacular names in the article
" Conchology " in the Encyclopaedia Londinensis (1810, p. 36), still retains a great
deal of truth. " Hence it is evident that trivial names may be applied to shells as

134 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

far as the species go, or as the fanciful imagination and invention of man can possibly
extend ".

A number of the later Cracherode shells came from the famous Calonne collection
sold by auction in 1797. Their origin was noted by Humphrey on his labels with the
letters " M. C. " plus the Calonne catalogue numbers — details which were recorded
by Cracherode in his own list but not copied by E. W. Gray in the Museum copy.
This is a pity, because it is now difficult to trace Calonne specimens among the
univalves beyond the letter " M ", where Part I of Cracherode's own catalogue ends,
and where E. W. Gray apparently continued from the Humphrey labels. The Calonne
shells are of interest, for in many instances they came from the Portland collection
and were named by Solander. Cracherode paid heavily for these shells, the twenty-
two marked " M. C." in his catalogue costing the not inconsiderable sum of one
hundred pounds sixteen shillings.

Humphrey's prices were not always so high, for there are several items charged at
as little as one, two or three shillings. The highest price paid was fifteen guineas for
a single fine specimen of Voluta imperialis or Coronated Wild Music, from Luconia
(Luzon, Philippine Is.).

It would be tedious to dwell too long on the various items of interest in these
manuscript catalogues at this point, but one cannot help noticing the care with which
the fair copies were compiled by E. W. Gray, long before separate guides to particular
groups were printed and published. They were apparently kept with the collections
for the use of students who eventually obtained permission to study the specimens
in detail. E. W. Gray's clear copperplate style (rather more formal than his usual
writing) was ideal for this purpose, with the popular and scientific names equally
in evidence.

4. USE MADE OF THE CRACHERODE COLLECTION
BY VARIOUS AUTHORS, WITH NOTES ON THE
TYPES AND FIGURED SPECIMENS

When endeavouring to trace every author and all the specimens mentioned or
described from an early collection, it is easy to overlook the obvious while searching
for the obscure, and the following account of authors who have used the collection
during the last 150 years is therefore offered with some slight reservation.

Cracherode is known to have welcomed visitors wishing to examine his books,
prints and coins, but no mention of his shell collection appears to have been made in
contemporary literature, although it must have been one of the finest in London at
the time. George Perry (f. 1810), appears to have been the first author to have
used the collection after it became available to the public at the beginning of the
nineteenth century. Little is known of Perry, beyond the fact that he published
two works on natural history during 1810 and 1811, the first being the Arcana,
and the second the more notorious Conchology. Since he figured a few Cracherode
shells, and mentioned the collection in glowing terms in both of his books, a short
account of these and the effect they had on subsequent authors should find a place
here.

The Arcana was a general miscellany covering several groups, similar in format

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 135

to the Naturalists' Miscellany of Shaw & Nodder. It appeared in monthly parts,
from January 1810 to September 181 1, each part consisting of four colour plates
with appropriate letterpress. For some reason the work aroused little interest until
early in the present century, but the larger and more expensive Conchology, which
contained a curious assemblage of good and bad figures, caused a great deal of
controversy several years after its first appearance, when J. E. Gray decided to
accept some of the previously-ignored names proposed therein.

These were added to the list of additions to his Monograph of Cypraea published in
April 1828, which also included references to the eighteen species of Cypraea then
being figured in Wood's Supplement published in the following month. Under
Cypraea princeps Broderip, Gray noted " The name must be changed, as it is C.
Valentia of Perry's Conchology t. 23, f . 2 where the individual specimen here described
is well figured ". To this was added a footnote saying " I have ventured to refer
to this work as I consider it just that every author should be quoted and this author
has anticipated Lamarck, Swainson and Sowerby in several species " — a seemingly
mild and honest statement that caused so much resentment and adverse criticism
from G. B. Sowerby (first of the name), and other authors that no further credence
was given to Perry's work until nearly the end of the nineteenth century.

While it must be admitted that much of the letterpress in both the Arcana and
the later Conchology is not particularly good, the figures (although at times fantastic
and of an almost dream-like quality) are sometimes excellent and clearly recognizable.
The descriptions, meagre or prolix according to the fancy of the author, are sufficiently
clear for there to have been no real reason to reject Perry's valid but unwelcome
names, even if it meant upsetting those established by the various British authors
who resolutely refused to study their predecessor's book.

Current opinions published by Sowerby and his fellow collaborators can of course
be found in the pages of the Zoological Journal, but as these volumes are not always
easily obtainable it may be permissible to quote a few of the opinions that led British
workers to ignore Perry's work.

The first hint of displeasure from the Sowerby stronghold appeared in a footnote by
G. B. Sowerby, appended to some critical remarks upon J. E. Gray's Monograph of
Cypraea by L. W. Dillwyn in 1827 (p. 315), in which the latter merely referred to the
C. Dama Perry. This was sufficient to call forth the remark that Perry's work was
" the worst of all bad books, it ought never to be cited ". One can imagine Sowerby 's
displeasure when shortly afterwards Gray added the footnote quoted above, accepting
more of Perry's names. Sowerby's immediate reactions were conveyed by letter to
W. J. Broderip (later published in the Zoological Journal) in which the former gave
an extremely destructive account of Perry's Conchology, accusing him of dreaming of
extraordinary shells and committing them to paper immediately on waking! The
letter contains more in the same vein, even the principal editor of the Zoological
Journal, N. A. Vigors, added a note on his own behalf and that of his numerous
editorial colleagues, to the effect that "It is the unanimous opinion that Perry's
Conchology is not a work worthy of being cited as an authority."

The result of all this criticism was far-reaching in its effect, for, as may be seen
from the conchological publications of British authors such as Wood, Burrows and

i 3 6 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Hanley, there are few references to Perry's names (except perhaps as synonyms)
although the Conchology must have been well known to all of them — for according
to Hopwood (1946, p. 152) copies were still being printed as late as 1836.

Feelings continued to run high well into the 1840's ; during the course of his
great Conchologia Iconica, Lovell Reeve paused several times to vilify Perry, notably
in the description of Ranella pulchra Sowerby, in which Reeve says he " cannot
agree with M. Deshayes in giving priority to the name assigned to the ' Finned Frog '
by Mr. Perry. That author has long forfeited the notice of scientific men by his
absurd names and pantomimic display of figures ". (1844, Ranella, sp. 47.) Again,
in the description of Cypraea melanostoma Sowerby (Ex. Leathes MSS.), Reeve makes
the strongly-worded observation that " If every charlatan who sets himself up for
a naturalist, with brush in one hand, and writing tool in the other, is to be regarded
as an authority on scientific matters ; all the zoological signboards in the Kingdom
might be quoted as figures of reference. For my own part, I consider the ' Came-
leopard of Perry "should no more enter the nomenclature of zoology than the ' Red
Lion of Brentford ' " (1845, Cypraea, sp. 17).

Reeve was referring of course to the Cypraea camelopardalis Perry 181 1 (pi. 19,
fig. 5) which caused so much annoyance to Sowerby when Gray adopted it "in
opposition to that cited from the MSS. of a scientific gentleman ". Incidentally,
it is interesting to see that the Cracherode specimen of C. Camelopardalis still bears
Children's original label C. melanostoma, which rather indicates that as an editorial
collaborator at the time of Vigor's note condemning Perry's work, he felt bound to
retain the name used by Sowerby in opposition to Gray (PI. 25, fig. i$g).

Both Sowerby and Reeve realized only too well that much of their careful work
would be upset by the general adoption of Perry's nomenclature, and their opinions
were therefore not without bias. By the force of their displeasure they succeeded in
keeping this awkward volume in the background for the rest of their lives, an
obscurity from which it did not emerge until referred to by Melvill in 1888 and by
both Hedley and Gatliff in 1902.

Since the above notes were prepared, John Q. Birch of California has published a
note on the resurrection of early names in his Minutes (1955, 152, pp. 2-3), in which
he makes a belated attempt to uphold the dictum of G. B. Sowerby, W. J. Broderip
and his followers in suppressing Perry's names. He apparently ignores the happen-
ings of the last fifty years, for even now he considers it presumptuous " for a student
in 1955 to bring up names rejected by such scholars, thereby upsetting over a century
of conchology ". Others have since joined in the discussion, which continues.

It has already been mentioned that Perry referred more than once to the Cracherode
collection in his Conchology of 181 1, and brief examples of these references are given
below. The first to be noted is the figure of a shell described as Polyplex rugosus
(pi. 9, fig. 2) stated to be in the collection of Mr. Cracherode in the British Museum.
This appears to be some form of Nucella, but a thorough search has failed to reveal
the original among the Cracherode shells. The second reference is to a bivalve
shell described as Donax variegatus (pi. 58, fig. 1) which can safely be assigned to
Egeria radiata (Lamarck) taken from a specimen from which the thick brown
periostracum had been removed by polishing, in order to show the bluish-green

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 137

rays on the shell surface. This also is missing and may have been disposed of years
ago as a spoilt specimen. Polished shells were much in vogue in Cracherode's day
and long after, for there are still several fine specimens of polished mussel and pearl
shells which at one time formed part of the exhibited collection.

Perry's pi. 59, dealing with the genus Spondylus is of particular interest, for he
follows the description of his quite remarkable figures with a footnote saying that
" These shells are found chiefly in the warmer climates of the globe, and from a
numerous assemblage, the greatest variety of which, in one collection, may perhaps
be seen in the museum of the late Mr. Cracherode, now united to that most valuable
repository, the British Museum ". This was no exaggeration, for the Cracherode
Spondylus must have formed a considerable ornament to the Museum collection,
which could previously have had only a few rather dingy examples from the earlier
Sloane collection. It is a pity that Perry chose to figure the odd-looking specimens
shown on his plate, when he had access to those he praised so highly.

Before concluding this short account of Perry's Conchology it should be recorded
that although no Cracherode specimens figured by him have been traced, an
opportunity has nevertheless occurred to judge the extent to which the author erred
in his figures. PI. 24 is devoted to some fairly good representations of various
species of Conus. Fig. 3, named by Perry Conus fasciatus, was apparently an
attempt to portray the Conus genuanus Linne, the original of which was stated in
the text to be in the British Museum (not on this occasion in that of Mr. Cracherode).
At this time (181 1) the Museum shell collections comprised only those of Sloane and
Cracherode, so Perry's figured specimen could only have been in the former. On
examining the series of Conus included in the recently recognized Sloane shells this
was found to be so, the shell still retaining the Sloane catalogue number 2788.
This specimen is still in excellent condition and shows that the artist kept to the
general idea of the shell but, with the usual contumacy of the race, arranged the
pattern more to his liking. Thus the typical semaphore-like dark brown dots and
dashes interspersed with white became regular brown squares in the finished plate
with some imaginary blue and brown lines added for full measure, almost destroying
the true character of this well-known species. Although no defence of Perry is
deserved or intended, it may be only charitable to suggest that some of the more
peculiar figures may have been due to the artist engraver's interpretation of drawings
passed on to him for reproduction, with the unfortunate results so bitterly resented
by Sowerby and Reeve.

Early in the present century (1902) a more balanced view was taken of Perry's
work, when Hedley and Gatliff independently pointed out its importance to
Australian naturalists, particularly as Perry had access to the collection of Lt.-Col.
William Patterson, Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales from 1800 to 1802,
who is acknowledged more than once in the text to the plates. In addition to the
British Museum collections and his own possessions, Perry also used no less than
twenty-four contemporary private collections — including those of Lady Wilson,
Lord Valentia (after whom he named Cypraea valentia), Dr. Coombe, Dr. Lettsom,
Humphrey, Bullock, Jennings, Stutchbury, Latham and Spurritt. From this it is
obvious that he had the choice of much new and unfigured material, and it is difficult

HIST. I, 4. 9

138 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

to understand why he did not confine his new names to these shells, rather than
interfere with those already established. Changing the well-known Oliva porphyria
(Linne) to Oliva Leveriana in "honour" of Sir Ashton Lever (pi. 41), was quite
inexcusable.

Perry's Conchology is of value to the taxonomist by virtue of the names adopted
or mentioned as synonyms by J. E. Gray (1828 & 1847) ; H. & A. Adams (1853-
58) ; Hedley & Gatliff (1902) ; Thiele (1931-35) and Tucker Abbot (1954). The
book has also a commercial value, the fine hand-coloured stipple engravings having
a certain charm of design and colour, which appeals strongly to the producers of
artistic trifles, a form of vandalism that is partly responsible for the extraordinary
increase in the market price of the volume, from 28s. in 1912 (Hopwood, 1946,
p. 153) to as many pounds at the present time.

The less-known and^much rarer Arcana seems to have lain unnoticed until 1912,
when Mathews & Iredale revived it as " An overlooked work " dealing very
thoroughly with the birds and shells (many from Australia) figured and described
therein. As the Arcana in some instances pre-dates the Conchology, it formed a
veritable sepulchre from which to resurrect long forgotten and unheard-of generic
and specific names, which had to be adopted under the rule of priority.

Little further need be said of the merits or demerits of the Arcana, except to deal
with direct references to the Cracherode collection. Two of these are noteworthy,
the first in a part of the text to pi. 47, describing Aranea gracilis, in which the author
says " The most elegant specimen of this shell which we have hitherto seen, is that
which was in the late Mr. Cracherode's collection and now deposited in the British
Museum, the comparative value being appreciated by the number, length and
preservation of the spines ". Although praising the Cracherode shell Perry did not
state that it was the original of his figure, and it may therefore have been obtained
from one of his numerous contacts, but there was certainly a suitable shell in the
collection, No. 295 in E. W. Gray's catalogue, listed as Murex tribulus Lin. Venus' s
Comb or the Double Thorny Woodcock from Hainan. The only comparable specimen
now present, however, is No 296 Murex tribulus var. Lin. The Great Thorny Woodcock
from China {Murex scolopax Dillwyn), which has less numerous spines than the
original of Perry's figure. Mathews & Iredale (1912, p. 12) considered this figure
to represent the Murex tenuispina Lamarck, and allowed that well-established
species to be superseded by A. gracilis Perry. However, a much more accurate
figure of tenuispina appeared in the Conchology of 1811 as Aranea triremis (pi. 44,
fig. 3.). It might be suggested that Mathews & Iredale were mistaken in identifying
Perry's Aranea gracilis as M . tenuispina Lamarck, and that this figure represented a
rather similar species, later described and dedicated to a famous malacologist, but to
print the name of this species would burden the synonomy to no useful purpose.

The second reference to be noted is in the text describing Strombus nigricans
(obviously the Strombus chiragra Linne), in which Perry praises such gifts as Brander's
fossils to the British Museum, at the same time eulogizing the nobility of mind
required to " appropriate the advantages of fortune to the improvement of science
and knowledge ... ". " Nor can we here omit the princely collection of shells
formed by the gift and legacy of Mr. Cracherode, which has not, nor ever will be

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 139

rivalled, containing specimens which cannot be removed or injured. Owing to the
judicious arrangement of the British Trustees, it will be a standing monument of
the general taste of the English nation ".

This excerpt gives some idea of the phraseology used throughout the text of the
Arcana, which contains rather a small amount of useful information among a great
deal of editorial padding. However, the stipple engravings of shells, drawn by G.
Perry and engraved by T. L. Busby, are on the whole more reliable than those in
the Conchology, and may now be regarded as the most useful part of this extremely
rare book.

The next author to be considered is the gifted but unfortunate Dr. William Elford
Leach F.R.S. (1790-1836), who would have had an even more brilliant career if his
health had not broken down early in life, forcing his retirement from the Assistant
Keepership of the Natural History Department of the British Museum, before he
had held the post long enough to make much impression on the apparent chaos
left behind by his predecessor George Shaw. The unfortunate state of the Zoo-
logical collections at the time of Leach's appointment (1813) has been recorded
(through not without prejudice) in the personal reminiscences of William Swainson
(1840, pp. 237-40), in which he says his friend's name " will be long cherished by
those who remember his warm, frank, and generous disposition ; and will ever rank
high in the science of this country, which, more than any other man, he released from
the thraldom of prejudice and bigotry ".

Leach was particularly interested in the mollusca but much of his work remained
unpublished at the time of his death in 1836 — notably the unfinished manuscript
of his Synopsis of the Mollusca of Great Britain, written between 1818 and 1820. x
This was later purchased, together with the original plates, by J. E. Gray and with
the permission of Leach's family was eventually edited and published in 1852, in
the belief " that it was an act of justice to lay before the public the favourite and
last work of my late friend " (Preface, p. vii).

Work published by Leach himself need only concern us here, however, and even
this is confined to the first two of the three volumes of the Zoological Miscellany
published between 1814 and 1817. As already noted in the account of the Sloane
shells (Wilkins, 1953, p. 11) Leach's three volumes were practically a continuation
of Shaw & Nodder's Naturalists' Miscellany completed in 1813, Nodder continuing
to produce the engravings, but with greater accuracy than in the previous series. Of
the thirty-three shells figured (many of which were new species), eleven have been
traced to the Cracherode collection and recovered, including nine holotypes of
Leach's new species. Since copies of the original Miscellany and even Chenu's
reprint of 1845 are now rare works the English part of the brief descriptions are
repeated here in full, together with the Cracherode catalogue entries.

As previously noted in the account of the Banks collection, it is now known to
which species certain unpublished manuscript names refer. Unless these have
already been published by Humphrey in the Calonne catalogue (1797) or used by

1 The first 116 pp., in proof only, were partly circulated in 1819.

i 4 o THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Dillwyn (1817) as synonyms, they have been discreetly omitted from this list.
Current generic and specific names, based largely on Thiele's Handbuch (1931-35)
are printed in bold face italics at the head of each description, on the left hand side
of the pages.

List of Cracherode Specimens Figured and Described
by W. E. Leach in the Zoological Miscellany 1814-15

Volume I. 1814

1. Ensis ceylonensis (Leach) Holotype.

Page 22. Tab. VII (dated February, 1814)
Solen ceylonensis — Ceylon Razor-shell

" Shell strait, with one extremity rounded, the other obliquely truncate ; the hinge ter-
minal, with one tooth in each valve ; the teeth unequal.

Inhabits Ceylon, where it seems not to be an uncommon species. The striae at the
base . . . run longitudinally, and turn abruptly in a transverse direction, giving an
appearance to the shell, of being obliquely divided into two parts, by a line running in a
diagonal direction from one corner to the other. "

Crach. No. 183. Solen vagina, Lin. Cross-striped Solen from Tranquebar . 8s.

Length Height Thickness

Dimensions of Holotype . 124 mm. . 20 mm. . 13 mm.

Type locality : Ceylon

Other records (vide B.M. collections) :

Aden ; Bombay ; Java ; Chandipur ; Ceylon.

The author's type locality seems reliable, as the species is common to the Indian Ocean
generally ; Humphrey's Tranquebar is itself a likely locality, though it appears also to have
been an early centre for the distribution of Indian Ocean material by J. G. Konig and the
Moravian Brethren mentioned in Solander's note to Banks (see p. 125 above).

2. Haliotis ruber Leach Holotype.

Page 54. Tab. XXIII (undated)
Haliotis ruber — Red Earshell

" Red, transversely waved, with elevated, longitudinal, wrinkled lines.
Inhabits New Holland. "

Crach. No. 233. Great Broad Ear Shell. New South Wales . . . -i is. od.

Length Breadth

Dimensions of Holotype .... 116 mm. . 92 mm.

Type locality : " New Holland " here designated Port Jackson.
Other records : New Holland (Martyn 1 784) .

Port Jackson (Whitelegge 1889).

New South Wales (Allen, 1950).

This species is now known in New South Wales as the Sydney or Warty Ear Shell, very
common on rocks and in crevices at low tide (Allan, 1950, p. 54). A larger polished specimen
in the collection is one of those particularly noticed in the Synopsis of 1809. Leach in 1814
and Wood in 1828 continued to quote New Holland for New South Wales, although Humphrey
had used the correct name for this part of Australia many years before.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 141

3. Padollus scalaris Leach Holotype.

Page 66, Tab. XXVIII

Padollus scalaris — Staircase Padollus

" Whitish variegated with rufous ; whirls with three longitudinal elevated ribs ; basal
volution staircase-like above, with the inferior rib knotted, middle rib perforated (with
five holes), upper rib longitudinally striated, the spaces between the striae wrinkled.

There is one specimen of this rare shell in the British Museum, which is the only species
of the genus that I have had an opportunity of examining. Country unknown.

The number of perforations may probably not be constant ; the character is therefore
not introduced without caution. "

Crach. No. 240. The broad tuberculated Ear Shell from Hainan ... 8s.

Length Breadth

Dimensions of holotype . . . 33 mm. . 25 mm.

Type locality : Swan River, S. West Australia (here designated) .
Other records : Pai-ho, N.E. China (Cuming).

Java and Australia (Tryon, 1890).

Swan River (Cuming).

Western Australia (Allan, 1950).

From available records the distribution would appear to be from the Gulf of Po Hai (North
of the Yellow Sea) to Hainan, through the Java Sea to the West Coast of Australia.

The Chinese localities, however, may be doubtful, for the species was not recorded by Yen
in his Review of the Chinese Gastropods (1942), in which he notes the unreliability of some of
the early material said to come from China, hence the choice of the well-known Swan River as
the type locality. Lamarck gives Java as the locality of his Haliotis tricostalis (1822, p. 218),
which is synonymous with the present species.

A certain amount of confusion has arisen among authors (notably Reeve, 1846) in mistaking
the Padollus rubicundus Montfort 18 10 for Leach's P. scalaris. But a study of Montfort's
figure (18 10, p. 1 14), and his quite definite locality Africa leaves little doubt that the Padollus
rubicundus Montfort was the African Haliotis parva Linn6. The latter was well figured by Reeve
(pi. 15, sp. 53 a. b.) who, with his frequent inattention to detail, added the much-used Hab ?,
although Linne clearly gave 0. Africano as the locality {Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, p. 1256, 746).
Padollus scalaris Leach appears elsewhere in the literature as Haliotis tricostata Wood (1828)
and H. canaliculata Schubert & Wagner (1829).

It should be noted that the type specimen is immature, full-grown shells reaching a maximum
length of 100 mm.

4. Pteria chinensis (Leach) Holotype.

Page 86, Tab. XXXVIII
Fig. 1
Avicula chinensis — Chinese Avicula

" Dirty -citron colour, smooth, with two brownish-red radiating bands.

This pretty shell is found in the Chinese seas in great abundance. The letter a, points
out the situation of the byssus or beard by which it adheres to rocks, corals, and other hard
bodies. "

Crach. No. 84. Brown striped yellow Swallow Pearl Shell from China . . 10s. 6d.

Length Height Thickness

Dimensions of Holotype . 60 mm. . 35 mm. . 13 mm.

142 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Type locality : " Chinese Seas " here designated, restricted to Ticao, Philippines.
Other records : Ticao (Cuming) .

New Caledonia (Cuming).

Ceylon (Craven, B.M.).

Isle de France (Lamarck).

Aden (Shopland, B.M.).
Widely distributed in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Indo-West Pacific, this species varies
considerably in size and colour, but the brownish-red radiating bands mentioned by Leach are
usually discernible. Specimens in the Museum collection from New Caledonia measure 135 mm.
in length, while those from the Philippines, Ceylon and Aden are approximately the size of the
type. Avicula crocea Lamarck and Avicula trochilus Reeve are synonyms.

5. Pteria morio (Leach) Holotype.

Page 86, Tab. XXXVIII
Fig. 2
Avicula morio — Black Avicula
" Black, striated concentrically ; epidermis brown, elevated into undulations, which are
arranged in lines radiating from the beak.

This rare shell was obtained from Pulo Condore, an East Indian Island, and is preserved
in the British Museum. "

Crach. No. 83. Mytilus hirundo. Lin. var. (Margaritifera hirundo). Large
brown variety of the Swallow Pearl Shell with a small cox-
comb oyster adhering. From Pulo Condore . . 10s. 6d.
Length Height Thickness
Dimensions of Holotype . . 122 mm. 60 mm. 22 mm.
Type locality : Pulo Condore.

Other records : Malacca Strait (Cuming B.M.).

From the above records the range of this species appears to be rather restricted, but it probably
occurs in other waters under different names — perhaps the very similar Avicula castanea and
signata Reeve, said to come from Singapore and Madras.

Leach's type specimen (from which the adherent oyster has long since been removed), was
figured for the second time by Wood in the Index Testaceologicus of 1825 (pi. 12, fig. 43) copied
from Leach's figure but without acknowledgment, and with the locality Red Sea. In his
monograph on Avicula (1857, sp. 71), Lovell Reeve gave an excellent figure drawn from the
Cracherode shell, with the original locality Pulo Condore, but he unfortunately ascribed it to
Avicula savignyi, a name published by Deshayes in 1830 (2, 100), and again in 1836 (7, 102),
where Leach's morio was merely mentioned as a variety of Deshayes' own, and much later
Avicula savignyi. Reeve attributes Leach's name to Dillwyn in his brief synonymy.

Similar inaccuracies, not uncommon at the time, occur throughout the many volumes of
the Conchologia Iconica and do much to mar its usefulness, but even these mistakes cannot
detract from the real beauty of the figures, the excellence of which " will for ever remain
unrivalled " (Melvill, 1900, p. 347).

6. Pinctada radiata Leach) Holotype.

Page 98, Tab. XLIII fig. 13.

Avicula radiata — Rayed Bird Shell
" Shell griseous with purplish rays : epidermis concentrically elevated, with processes
arranged into radiating lines.

This shell is generally supposed to inhabit the West-Indian Seas, but I have not been
able to ascertain the truth of this conjecture.

The elevated processes of the epidermis, on close examination, seem to be membra-
naceous, with fine concentric rings of shelly matter deposited on them,"

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 143

Crach. No. 82. Mytilus margaritiferus Linn. var. (margaritifera occidentalis)

West Indian Mother of Pearl Shell ..... 10s. 6d.

Length Height Thickness

Dimensions of holotype . . 55 mm. . 56 mm. . 23 mm.

Type locality : Here designated Gulf of Mannar.
Other records : Tranquebar (Wood, 1825).

Gulf of Mannar (B.M. collections) .

Maldive Islands, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Suez, South and East
Africa, Malay Peninsular, N. Australia S. to Sydney (vide Jame-
son, 1901 ; Prashad, 1932 and Hynd, 1954, and B.M. collections) .

The Gulf of Mannar, chosen as the type locality of P. radiata, was still recongized by Hornell
in 1951 (p. 53), as the most important pearl fishery in India. From an account of the fishing
operations during March and April 1797 by H. J. Le Beck it appears to have been particularly
flourishing during the late eighteenth century and the most likely origin of some of Humphrey's
stock, for as the author says " no place in the East Indies abounds more with rare shells ".
Beck's excellent account, which includes an early attempt to describe the anatomy of Pinctada,
was considered of sufficient importance to be reprinted in full in the Annual Register for 1799
(pp. 380-91).

Jameson (1901 , p. 389) and Tucker Abbott (1954, P- 359) identify Pinctada radiata (Leach) with
the West Indian or Atlantic Pearl Oyster, but a careful comparison of the recently recognized
holotype with an extensive series from the pearl banks at Mannar, shows clearly that it is a
typical example from the Indian Ocean and not from the Atlantic. In consequence Leach's
name replaces the later P. vulgaris (Schumacher, 18 17) the name by which the Eastern Lingah
shells have usually been known. J. S. Hind (1954, pp. 113-4) discusses the merits of Schu-
macher's P. vulgaris, saying that his figure is too poor and his description too brief to be of any
real value, and he therefore chooses the Avicula fucata Gould (1850) to replace it, noting that
"This Australian species is conspecific with the lingah pearl oyster of the East Indies and the
Persian Gulf ". If this is so, the P. radiata (Leach, 1814) should be used in preference to the
later fucata Gould, particularly as Leach's type specimen (PI. 25, fig. 13) shows the same charac-
teristics as Hynd's own figure of a typical fucata from Torres Straits (pi. 1). The transverse
markings on the growth processes, said by Hynd to be absolutely diagnostic of the species,
must surely be the fine " concentric rings of shelly matter " referred to by Leach in his original
description.

Leach's original figure of P. radiata was clearly copied by Wood in 1825 (pi. 12 Mytilus, fig. 5),
this time with acknowledgment to the Zoological Miscellany, but with the very suitable locality
Tranquebar. The various species of the ubiquitous pearl oysters occurring in Oceania have
also been discussed by Prashad (1932, pp. 99-102) and Iredale (1939, pp. 333-40), the latter
suggesting the replacement of P. vulgaris Schumacher by P. radiata (Leach), but relating it to
the Atlantic area rather than to the Indo-Pacific.

The widely distributed Lingah shells are fished mainly for the contained pearls, often of great
value, the shells themselves being thin and of little use commercially. Fully mature specimens
seldom reach more than 70 mm. in length, and even these are left derelict by the pearl fishers.

7. Pinctada margaritifera (Linne) Holotype.

Page 108, Tab. XL VIII
Margarita sinensis — Chinese Pearl-shell

" Brown radiated with white ; internally pearly bordered with brown ; epidermis con-
centrically elevated, with processes arranged in somewhat radiating lines.

Inhabits the Sea of China, but is rarely found in such perfection as that exhibited in the
annexed plate. It seems to have been confounded with the common pearl-shell."

144 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Crach. No. 81. Mytilus margaritiferus L. var. Lesser Chinese Mother of Pearl

Shell .......... 15s.

Width Height Thickness

Dimensions of holotype . . 100 mm. . 100 mm. . 27 mm.

Type locality : China.

It is curious that the observant Dr. Leach should have described this shell as a new species,
for it is only a small Pinctada margaritifera. The species is known by many trade names,
applying to the texture of shells from certain areas rather than to any real specific differences.
The present specimen appears from the list supplied by Jameson (1901, p. 375) to be Black-
edged Banda Shell, peculiar to the Malay Archipelago, China, Banda Sea and the Maldives,
and compares favourably with trade samples so labelled in the Museum collection. Leach's
new genus Margarita 18 14, of which his M. sinensis is the type species, is a synonym of Meleagrina
Lamarck 181 2 and of the still earlier Pinctada Roding 1798.

8. Pinna ( Streptopinna) sac cat a Linne Figured specimen

Page 130, Tab. LVII.

Pinna saccata — Bag Pinna

" Shell smooth, bag-shaped (anteriorly at least), ribbed, externally abruptly produced,
somewhat distorted. This rare pinna is readily distinguished from all other species by its
distorted irregular form. Some specimens are ribbed from base to point, others only
anteriorly.

Inhabits the Indian seas, and is esteemed a rare species."

Crach. No. 182. Pinna saccata Lin. Satchel or Crooked Pinna from Pulo

Condore . . . . . . . . £3 3s. od.

This Cracherode specimen is still in excellent condition and is a notable example of a species
which, with the exception of the Pinna Nuttallii Conrad 1837 and one or two unimportant
varietal names, has remained sacrosanct since it was first described by Linne in 1758. According
to Winckworth (1929, p. 289) it is a widespread species, having been recorded from the Red
Sea, Ceylon, S. Africa, Amboyna, Philippines, Sandwich Is., and Japan. Iredale recorded it
from Queensland in 1927 (p. 333) designating a new sub-species inusitata based partly on colour
variation — not a very reliable character in a species which normally ranges from white to yellow,
amber, red, purple and almost jet black !

9. Haliotis cracherodii Leach Holotype.

Page 131, Tab. LVIII
Haliotis cracherodii — Cracherodean Earshell

" Bluish-black above, umbo lateral-dorsal ; internally pearly and iridescent.

The shell from which the annexed figure is taken, forms a part of that splendid collection
of shells bequeathed to the British Museum by the late Rev. C. M. Cracherode, whose name
it bears. It is said to be a native of the Californian coast, and is generally esteemed a
rare species."

Crach. No. 237. Haliotis . . . Blackish-green Ear Shell, from California . £4 4s. od.

Length Breadth

Dimensions of holotype ..... 85 mm. . 70 mm.
Type locality : California.
Other records : Baja, Lower California (B. M. collections).

Coos Bay, Oregon to Lower California (Tucker Abbott, 1954).

This is the well-known Black Abalone which occurs fairly abundantly from Oregon to L.
California. It is edible and particularly enjoyed by the Mexicans. There are normally eight
holes in the shell, but these may vary in number or even be entirely absent, a feature that has

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 145

given rise to several subspecific names, notably imperforata Dall, holzneri Hemphill, and lusus
Finlay.

Haliotis califomiensis was described by Swainson in the Zoological Illustrations in 182 1 (Ser. 1,
2, pi. 80) based on the smoother 12-16 holed form of H. cracherodii, since recorded on the
islands from the Farallones to Guadalupe (Keep, 1935, p. 144), and now regarded as the only
reliable sub-species. Incidentally, H. cracherodii Leach provides good material for the study
of shell pigments, for the distinctive bluish-black outer layer of the shell is said to contain,
among other substances, a blue acid-soluble pigment related to indigotin, which has been the
subject of more study than any other single pigment extractable from shells (Comfort, 1949,
p. 86).

10. Clithon coronata Leach Holotype.

Volume II, 1815 Fig. 11

Page 122, Tab. CIV
Clithon coronata — Crowned Clithon
" Black ; first whirl above, with elongate, subsetaceous spines ; epidermis obliquely
elevated into lines ; pillar obtusely unidentate.

The locality of this species is not known ; it is certainly distinct from the Clithon corona
of De Montfort."
Crach. No. 354. Nerita corona. Linn. A culeated fresh-water Nerite. From

the Ganges . . . . . . . ^3 3s. od

Length of
Length Width spines

22 mm. 24 mm. 22 mm.

Type locality : Here designated Mauritius.
Other records : Rodriguez & Mauritius (B.M. collections).
Malagachian Islands (Baker, 1923).
Mauritius (Viader, 1937).
The Cracherode specimen is definitely the original of Leach's two figures shown on pi. 104 of
the Zoological Miscellany, but unfortunately both were reversed by the engraver. When
figured in 18 15 the spines were already damaged, the missing portions being indicated in the
engraving by dotted lines ; since then one more spine has gone, but even so the shell can still be
recognized as the original.

As pointed out by Baker (1923, p. 156) Montfort clearly figured this species when describing
his genus Clithon in 1810 (2, p. 326), but attributed it to Nerita corona Linne, a different species.
The spines in De Montfort's figure are at a different angle to those in the type specimen, in
which several spines rise at right angles to the shell surface — a feature common enough in a
long series, that may have led Leach to believe his shell to be distinct.

Judging from the price charged by Humphrey, the species must have been considered rare
at the time, and the Cracherode shell was probably the only one available for study. Clithon
coronata was renamed longispina by Recluz in 1841 (p. 312), Leach's earlier name being quoted
but denied priority in the rather carefree manner of the period. Humphrey's locality of the
Ganges seems to be without foundation, for none of the spined Neritinidae occur in India.

11. Anostoma octodentatum Fischer de Waldheim Figured specimen.

Page 128, Tab. CVII
Tomigeres ringens — Grinning Tomiger Fig. 10

" Shell whitish, spotted with ferruginous, the spots often running together ; mouth multi-
dentate, the teeth unequal. The mouth varies extremely in the number and proportion
of the teeth ; the internal lip generally has two teeth, rarely three ; the exterior lip has
from three to five teeth, which are always of unequal sizes."
Crach. No. 269. (Lucerna antiqua) Helix — Antique Lamp from Brazil . £8 8s. od.

146 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

This peculiar land shell, with its upturned mouth, has greatly intrigued conchologists since
it was first figured and described by Nehemiah Grew in 1681 (p. 136, pi. 11), in which he calls it
the Fore-Whirled Snail {Cochlea Turbine antico), because " contrary to all other shells I ever
yet saw, it hath the Turban or Whirle made before . . . The assertion of Aristotle that the
Turban always stands behind, is here proved false ".

Later authors, including Leach, referred this species to the Helix ringens Linn6 (the Grinning
or Ringent Snail particularly noticed in the Synopsis of 1809) ; but Hanley (1955, p. 363) after
due deliberation concluded that the Anostoma globulosa Lamarck was the true ringens Linne\
a decision with which Pilsbry agreed (1902, p. 114-5). This confusion arose because Linne
described his species from a specimen in the Tessinian Museum, of which no exact figure then
existed, references being given to figures which did not precisely fit the description but only
bore a resemblance to it.

No hint of locality was given in Leach's description quoted above, and it seems that in this
and other instances, he did not bother overmuch to consult the records then available, since the
correct locality agrees in the Cracherode and Calonne catalogues. It appears in the latter as
item No. 1128 (p. 61) " Lucerna Antiqua — L' Antique — Antique — Brasil — Helix ringens Linn.
Very rare ".

In concluding these notes on Leach's types and figured specimens from the
Cracherode collection, it may be of interest to say that although most of these were
marked " Mus. Cracherode ", only one had been transferred to the type collection.
Thus eight hitherto unrecognized figured holotypes have been identified from this one
source. This indicates the importance of occasionally re-examining old collections,
which may have been taken very much for granted in the past. The recent discovery
of the types of such well-known species as Haliotis cracherodii and Padollus scalaris
will, it is hoped, encourage other curators who have early collections in their charge
to re-examine them with similar results.

The appointment of the versatile John George Children to the Assistant Keepership
of the Natural History Department, in succession to W. E. Leach, has already been
referred to above, and in view of his translation of Lamarck's Genera of Shells, it
was thought that a search among the Cracherode shells for some of his figured
specimens would not go unrewarded. As a result, thirty specimens have so far
been recognized as the originals of those figured in the work hereafter referred to
as Children's Lamarck.

Before listing these surviving figured specimens, it would be as well to briefly
review the effect that the completion of the mollusca volumes of Lamarck's Histoire
had on the student and general collector of the period. Until that time the simple
but inadequate Linnean system had held ascendancy over all others, at least in
this country. Lamarck's work, although welcomed by the student, was greeted
with some dismay by the general collector who had hoped to name all his specimens
from it — a task made even more formidable by the greatly increased number of
genera and species. That it was written in French, a language less fashionable
than in the previous century, was another drawback to its immediate popularity
to the general user. Hence the appearance of several " translations ", compiled
with the expressed intention of simplifying the new method for those, as one author
put it " who may be disinclined to purchase an expensive book, or are altogether
unacquainted with the language in which it is written . . . thus enabling them

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 147

to keep pace with modern science, by understanding something of the new arrange-
ment ". (Dubois, 1825, p. 8.)

There were at least rive of these translations, three in England and two in America.
The first (1822-24) was by J. G. Children ; the second, called An Epitome of Lamarck's
Arrangement of Testacea by Charles Dubois, first published in 1823, with further
issues up to 1828 (the last with a few coloured plates) ; and the third, An Illustrated
Introduction to Lamarck's Conchology by E. A. Crouch was printed in 1827, w ^h
fine lithographic plates by the author. Little more need be said of the last two
English translations, which were only intended to serve " those who are not
intimately acquainted with the science " (Crouch, p. iii). Nevertheless, both gave
clear and concise descriptions of the genera, with examples of the species. Dubois
apparently relied on his own judgment, but Crouch (being somewhat later in the
field) had the advantage of consulting both Dubois and Children's work, and at
least one of the latter's figures was copied and acknowledged (p. 2, pi. 1. fig. 7).
This fact contradicts Kennard & Woodward's statement (1922, p. 48), that, although
Crouch thanked Children for " polite attention " at the Museum, he did not appear
to have consulted Children's work in connection with his own.

The fourth attempt to be noted was a neat little translation by A. A. Gould
published in Boston in 1833, in which both Crouch and Children's works were noted,
the latter erroneously attributed to Leach. Gould's book, which merely gave lists
of species as examples of each genus, was followed by a Manual of Conchology,
published in New York by Thomas Wyatt in 1838, which professed to give " a free
translation of Lamarck's system, as simplified by de Blainville " and as usual was
" divested of numerous technicalities " a process which excluded all authorities for
the names used, many of which were additional to Lamarck's own lists of species.
Wyatt's Manual was overlooked by Kennard & Woodward in their paper of 1922,
but should have been included by virtue of the occasional use of the word " type ".
This appears first of all on the title page, which states that the book is illustrated by
thirty-six plates " containing more than two hundred types, drawn from the natural
shell " and further on (Introduction, p. v) "a type of almost every genus is given ".
On p. in Clausilia laevis is said to be " A regular type of this genus " from which it
is clear that " type " meant no more to Wyatt than " example ".

Children's Lamarck falls into a different category, and in recent years has become
of considerable importance. Whereas Dubois, Crouch and Wyatt gave only
examples of Lamarck's genera, Children apparently designated a type species for
each of the shell-bearing genera in the Histoire des Animaux sans Vertebres, a pro-
cedure not usual at the time of Lamarck's publication (1818-22). Thus only
examples of each genus were given by Lamarck in his Prodrome and later works,
and even these were frequently changed, sometimes for no apparent reason.
Practical use of Children's designations in modern taxonomy needs special knowledge,
to which an important contribution was made by Kennard, Salisbury & Woodward
in a paper published in 1931, where the matter is fully discussed and the valid type
species listed with critical notes.

The plates accompanying the parts of Children's Lamarck are of particular
interest, for they were principally drawn from specimens in the British Museum by

148 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

the author's daughter Anna Children, later Mrs. Atkins. This is yet another
example of filial devotion similar to that of Anna and Susanna Lister, who worked
so hard on the figures for their father's Historia Conchyliorutn, and again Lamarck's
devoted daughter Cornelie, who acted as amanuensis during the years of his approach-
ing and final blindness. According to Kennard & Woodward (1922, p. 48), Children's
figures were the first to be used to illustrate Lamarck's genera, " and it is unfortunate
that the figures were not better drawn ". Miss Children's work, however, if not
brilliant, is fairly competent, and had she been a more skilful artist versed in
conchology, she might have tried to improve on the specimens selected by her father
from the Museum collections. In fact she drew what she saw, and one must be
grateful that certain blemishes in the shells have been faithfully repeated in the
figures. One example only will illustrate the point — in the figure of Bulla lignaria
(pi. VII, fig. 23) the upper part of the lip of the shell is seen to be chipped, exactly
as in the Cracherode specimen (our pi. 23, fig. 8.), a blemish without which the
figure would have resembled any number of B. lignaria, since Miss Children's figures
were seldom drawn to scale.

While Kennard, Salisbury & Woodward (1931, p. 1) credit Children with an
understanding of " type " in its modern sense, there seems little doubt that the
latter's desire to figure an example of each Lamarckian genus (as far as possible
from actual specimens) , was governed by availability as well as suitability. Although
Children usually regarded the first species cited by Lamarck as the author's type of
the genus, in many instances the species figured in the translation was not the first
on the list, probably because actual specimens were not available at the time.
For example, Children names and figures F. colus (Linne) as the type of Fusus,
adding in a footnote that this is " Lamarck's third species ; his type is F. colosseus ".
According to Children's own manuscript catalogue this species was not then
represented in the Museum collections.

Sometimes species may have been selected because specimens of the first listed
species were too bulky to be carried home to Miss Children for figuring. Thus the
moderately-sized C. glauca (Linne) was selected as the type of Cassis, in preference
to the large and weighty C. madagascariensis , although the latter species appeared
at the head of Lamarck's list, and was noted by Children to be his type. Similar
replacements occur throughout the work, but are always mentioned by the author
at the foot of the relevant page.

In order to show the method of arrangement in the extremely rare Children's
Lamarck, one generic and specific description will be given, which also indicates the
preference for a specimen readily available from the Cracherode collection. The
example selected is the genus Haliotis, placed by Lamarck in the Macrostomiana,
the seventh family in his Order Trachelipoda.

Page 249 4. Haliotis

Shell auriform, usually flattened, spire very short, sometimes depressed, sublateral.
Aperture very large, longitudinal, and, in the perfect shell, entire. Disc perforated with
holes, disposed in a line parallel to, and near the left lip ; the last hole incomplete, forming
only a notch. No operculum.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 149

Type. Haliotis Iris* (Idem. Gmel.)

Shell rounded-oblong, very large, thin, rugose-plicate, prettily varied with green, red,
and blue ; spire sub-prominent, obtuse ; left lip elevated. New Zealand. PI. VIII.
Fig. 158. 15 species.

The above generic and specific descriptions were a true translation of Lamarck's
originals taken from the Histoire (Tome 6, Pt. II, p. 214, April 1822) and appeared
in the fourth part of Children's Lamarck published in July 1823. It is of interest to
note that the species selected by Children as his type of Haliotis formed a spectacular
exhibit among the Cracherode shells in the public gallery, and was thus more readily
available for illustration than a specimen of H. midae from the Sloane collection,
much of which was probably still secreted in " drawers in the imposts round the
room ". A specimen was certainly there, purchased by Sloane with Petiver's
shells, and now available with the rest of the recently recognized Sloane material.

From the above notes it would seem that all Children intended to do was to give
a literal translation of Lamarck's generic descriptions, together with a figure and
description of one species of each genus. Nowhere in his introductory text does
he say anything to indicate that he understood the importance of designating type
species, which only developed during the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Indeed, in a PS. to his introductory text, the author unpretentiously notes that
" we believe every genus is now illustrated with an appropriate figure " (p. 259).
The present importance of Children's work, however, rests mainly on his use of the
word " type " rather than " example ". Whether intended or otherwise, his usage
agrees with the now established rules regarding the designation of type species by
subsequent authors (Article 30 (g) of the International Rules of Zoological
Nomenclature) .

Although Kennard, Salisbury & Woodward were mainly concerned with nomen-
clature, it is odd that they almost ignored the well-filled plates, merely remarking
on the apparent poorness of the figures. Thus several misidentifications, such as
Ceratodes cornuarietis for Planorbis corneus, and Fissurella picta for F. nimbosa
passed unnoticed. Children's main object was to familiarize the general worker
with Lamarck's new genera by means of illustrated examples, a task not attempted
before, and none too easy with the limited material available at the time. The
shells used for this purpose are of course no more than figured specimens, but as so
many of them have recently come to light, it is of interest to record their existence
in the National collection.

In the following list, the current generic and specific names of the figured
Cracherode specimens are shown in bold face type on the left of the page, with the
generic and specific names used by Children beneath, followed by references to the
plates and figures in the various parts of the Quarterly Journal of Science (Q.J.S. in
the list) . In addition each species is referred to Kennard, Salisbury & Woodward's
paper of 1931 (K. S. W. in the list), in which the errors and necessary alterations to
the nomenclature since Children's day were noted in detail. As in the previous list,
the Cracherode numbers and relevant catalogue entries are given, with brief additional
notes where necessary.

* A rainbow 2d species. — Lamarck's type is H. midae.

150 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Cracherode Specimens Figured by J. G. Children when Selecting his Types for
Lamarck's Genera of Shells in 1823

i . Dentaliutn elephantinum Linne

Genus: Dentalium. Type: Dentalium elephantinum (Idem Linn.).

Q.J.S., XIV, p. 69, pi. Ill, fig. 2. October 1822. K. S. W., p. 4.

Crach. No. 222. Dentalium Elephantinum Linn. The Elephant's Tusk.

From China ........ 10s. 6d.

2. Ensis ceylonensis (Leach)

Genus : Solen. Type : Solen vagina (Idem Linn.).

Q.J.S., XIV, p. 83, pi. IV, fig. 26 (Interior and exterior). October, 1822.

K. S. W., p. 5.
Crach. No. 183. Solen Vagina Li nn. Cross-striped Solen. From Tranquebar 8s.

The specimen has already been described on p. 140 above, and appears to have been mistaken
by Children for the European species, probably because the name vagina was written upon it by
E. W. Gray in 1801 and taken to be correct.

3. Donax scortum Linne

Genus : Donax. Type : Donax scortum (Idem Linn.)
Q.J.S., XIV, p. 308, pi. V, figs. 49a, b. January 1823. K. S. W., p. 8.

Crach. No. 45. Donax Scortum. Sharp ridged Donax. From Tranquebar 8s.

4. Trapezium sowerbyi Hidalgo fig. 36.

Genus: Cypricardia. Type: Cypricardia guinaica (Chama oblonga Linn.).
Q.J.S., XIV, p. 316, pi. VI, figs. 61, 610. January 1823. K. S. W., p. 10.

Crach. No. 35. Chama oblonga Solander. Purple oblong Chama. From

Pulo Condore . . . . . . . • ^3 3 s - °d-

The history of the confusion between the shell now known as Trapezium sowerbyi and the
Linnean Chama oblonga has been adequately recorded by Solem (1954, pp. 66-68), wherein he
notes that a great deal of the confusion was caused by a figure published by G. B. Sowerby in
1822 (pi. 77) which he attributed to Cypricardia oblonga Linne in error. It is now evident that
Sowerby figured the Cracherode specimen on which the name Chama oblonga had been inscribed
by E. W. Gray, copied from the original Cracherode manuscript catalogue. The same shell
was figured by Children as the type species of Cypricardia, with Lamarck's specific name guinaica,
now recognized by Solem as a synonym of the true T. oblongum (Linne). The Cracherode
specimen appears again in Lovell Reeve's Conchologia Systematica (1842, pi. LXXX) for which
Sowerby lent many of the plates used in the Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells (1820-25).

5. Cucullaea concamera (Bruguiere)

Genus : Cucullaea. Type : Cucullaea auriculifera (Area cucullus Gmel.).
Q.J.S., XIV, p. 318, pi. VI, figs. 64, 64a. January 1823. K. S. W., p. 11

Crach. No. 9. Area labiata Soland. Lipped or Valved Ark. From Nico-

bar Isles . . . . . . . . £4 4s. od.

K. S. W. state that the type of Cucullaea by tautonomy is C. cucullus (Gmelin) 1791, a synonym
of the earlier concamera Bruguiere 1789.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 151

6. Prisodon syrmatophora (Gmelin)

Genus : Hyria. Type : Hyria avicularis (Mya syrmatophora ? Gmel.).

Q.J.S., XV, p. 25, pi. II, figs. 70, 70a. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 12.

Crach. No. 67. Mya . . . The Eared Mya. From Brazil. One Valve

uncoated and polished . . . . . . ^3 3s. od

There seems little doubt that Children's figured specimen is the Mya syrmatophora described
and figured in the Zoophylacium of Gronovius in 1778, quoted by Gmelin (p. 3222) and apparently
the var. B {testa transversim abbreviata) of Hyria avicularis noted by Lamarck in the Histoire.
The Cracherode shell certainly has the name Mya syrmatophora clearly written upon one of the
valves by E. W. Gray in 1801, some years before Lamarck's description of his more elongate
species ; furthermore there were only two species of Hyria in the Museum collection in 1822.
H. avicularis (catalogued with syrmatophora as a synonym) and H. corrugata, Lamarck's second
species, both Cracherode shells.

7. Crenatula folium Gray PI. 24, fig. 7.

Genus : Crenatula. Type : Crenatula modiolaris .

Q.J.S., XV, p. 35, pi. II, figs. 81, 8i«. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 13.

Crach. No. 93. Ostrea . . . (Vulsella folium) White Leaf elegantly marked

Vulsella, faintly rayed with violet. From . Unique. £8 8s. od.

This is one of the highly-priced Calonne shells and will be referred to more fully later. Accord-
ing to K. S. W. (p. 13) the name used by Children cannot stand as the type species of Crenatula
as it was not included in the genus when founded by Lamarck in 1802, and preference is
therefore given to the C. mytiloides selected by Gray in 1847 (p. 200). Once again this was
probably the only Crenatula available to Children for figuring, Lamarck's modiolaris seeming
nearest to it. Gray evidently disagreed with Children's determination and fully described the
Calonne shell as a new species in 1825.

8. Pteria chinensis (Leach)

Genus : Avicula. Type : Avicula crocea.

Q.J.S., XV, p. 37, pi. II, figs. 84, 840. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 14.

Crach. No. 84. Mytilus . . . Brown striped yellow Swallow Pearl Shell.

From China ........ 10s. 6d.

This is another example of the frequent disregard of existing names by some early nineteenth
century authors, for Children makes no mention whatever of Leach's name given to this actual
specimen a few years previously, and well-figured in the Zoological Miscellany — even Lamarck
makes it a synonym of his own Avicula crocea first published in the Histoire in 18 19 (6, (1), 148).

9. Pinctada margaritifera (Linne)

Genus : Meleagrina. Type : Meleagrina margaritifera (Mytilus margaritifera Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 37, pi. Ill, figs. 85, 85a. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 14.

Crach. No. 80. Mytilus margaritiferus Linn. (Margaritifera nigra) Black

Mother of Pearl Shell. From Otaheite £1 is. od.

The shell figured was probably brought from Tahiti by one of Capt. Cook's men, and as can
be seen from the figures the shell margins have been ground smooth and pierced for use as an
ornament.

i 5 2 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

10. Pedum spondyloideutn (Gmelin)

Genus : Pedum. Type : Pedum spondyloideum (Ostrea spondyloideum Gmel.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 38, pi. Ill, figs. 86, 86a. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 14.

Crach. No. 94. Ostrea ligo, The Spade or Hoe Oyster. From . Unique. ^10 10s. od.

This is an original Calonne specimen, No. 998 in the Museum Calonnianum of 1797, where it
was described by Humphrey as Ostrea ligo. An obvious fault in the upper valve of the shell,
repeated in the engraving, leaves no doubt that it is the original of Children's figure.

11. Placenta sella (Gmelin)

Genus: Placuna. Type: Placuna sella (Anomia sella Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 45, pi. Ill, figs. 96, 96a, b. April 1823. K. S. W., p. 16.

Crach. No. 86. Ostrea . . . (Placuna Ephippium Soland), Saddle Shell.

From Tranquebar . . . . . . . ^3 3s. od.

12. Chiton tuberculatus Linne

Genus: Chiton. Type: Chiton squamosus (Idem Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 224, pi. VII, fig. in. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 17.

Crach. No. 1. (Multivalves) . Chiton . . . Shagreen Chiton. From the

West Indies ........ 8s.

As might have been expected in the light of recent knowledge, the Cracherode specimen
figured by Children is actually C. tuberculatus Linne, which was so frequently mistaken for
the Linnean C. squamosus by most authors of the nineteenth century, a circumstance fully
discussed by Dodge (1952, p. 19, et seq.). This is a good example of the artist's faithful repro-
duction of the original specimen, for the girdle of the rather small Cracherode shell is dried and
shrivelled exactly as shown in the figure — -a blemish that a more gifted artist might have been
tempted to make good.

13. Scutus antipodes Montfort PI. 26, fig. 15J.

Genus : Parmaphorus. Type : Parmaphorus australis.
Q.J.S., XV, p. 227, pi. VII, fig. 115. July 1823. K. S. W., p.18.

Crach. No. 365. Patella . . . The White Duck's Bill Limpet. From New

South Wales . . . . . . . £1 is. od.

14. Fissurella picta (Gmelin)

Genus : Fissurella. Type : Fissurella nimbosa (Patella nimbosa Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, 228, pi. VII, fig. 117. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 18.

Crach. No. 382. Patella . . . The Great Radiated Mask. From Falkland

Island ......... 15s.

The Cracherode specimen selected for illustration is not F. nimbosa Lamarck, but F. picta
(Gmelin), the first species on Lamarck's list and noted by Children to be his type. F. nimbosa
certainly has dark radiations, but the shell is more conical and there are other differences in
the apical opening and shell margin.

15. Scaphander lignarius (Linn6)

Genus : Bulla. Type : Bulla lignaria (Idem Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 232, pi. VII, fig. 123. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 19.

Crach. No. 77. Bulla Lignaria Linn. Wood-like Bulla, with its gizzard.
From Weymouth. See Transactions of the Linnean Society,

Vol. 2 . . . . . . . . ^1 is. od.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 153

It is of particular interest to record the presence of S. lignarius in the Cracherode collection,
for a reference to Humphrey's paper of 1794 describing the gizzard of B. lignaria was given in
the account of the Banks collection (Wilkins, 1955, p. 116), quoting the above entry in the
Cracherode catalogue, showing the shell and gizzard to be a regular item of Humphrey's stock-in
trade. These two specimens were mounted on the same tablet by Edgar Smith, and were
exhibited with the British collection in the old shell gallery for many years.

16. Anostoma octodentatum Fischer de Waldheim PI 25, fig. 10.

Genus : Anostoma. Type : Anostoma depressum (sic) (Helix ringens Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 238-9, pi. VIII, fig. 132. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 20.

Crach. No. 269. Helix (Lucerna antiqua) Antique Lamp. From Brazil . £8 8s. od.

An account of this species has already appeared above among Leach's figured specimens
(p. 145), but it should perhaps be mentioned that the Cracherode shell was probably the only one
available to Children in 1823, and best suited to Lamarck's description of his A. depressa,
although not actually that species. Lamarck gives the Linnean Helix ringens as a synonym of
A. depressa, but as already noted the former is now known to be synonymous with the much
smaller A . globulosa Lamarck, the second of the two species cited in the Histoire, and of which
a good figure is given by Crouch (1827, pi. 14, fig. 18).

17. Ceratodes cornuarietis (Linne)

Genus: Planorbis. Type: Planorbis corneus (Helix cornea Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 242, pi. VII, fig. 141. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 22

Crach. No. 275. Helix Cornu-Arietis Linn. Banded Ram's Horn Land

Snail. From the West Indies . . . . . 15s.

There seems to have been some confusion with this species, firstly by Lamarck, who cited
this now well-known Ampullarid as the first species in the genus Planorbis, and secondly by
Children, who after remarking in a footnote that P. corneus is " Lamarck's second species.
His type, P. cornu arietis, Mr. Sowerby considers as an Ampullaria ", proceeded to give an
unmistakable figure of the West Indian shell. Dubois (1825, p. 190) follows Lamarck in citing
cornuarietis as his example of Planorbis without comment, but Crouch (1827, p. 29, pi. 15, fig.
10) gets the matter right by citing and figuring the true Planorbis corneus (Linne). Even as
early as 1686 (Lib. II, f. 40) Martin Lister included C. cornuarietis among the exotic freshwater
snails (Cochleis fluviatilibus compressis), giving an excellent figure of a specimen still in existence
in the Sloane collection.

18. Nerita textilis (Gmelin)

Genus : Nerita. Type : Nerita exuvia (Idem Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 247, pi. VIII, fig. 152. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 24.

Crach. No. 341. ^erita . . . Great Pied and Fluted Nerite. From Mada-
gascar ......... 5s.

Children's figure is clearly the N. textilis Gmelin selected in error for the smaller and more
closely ribbed exuvia Linne. Lamarck's references to the figures of Chemnitz for both these
species are in order, and it appears from this and other misidentifications that Children was not
always fully conversant with his subject.

19. Haliotis iris Gmelin (Ex. Martyn)

Genus : Haliotis. Type : Haliotis iris (Idem Gmel.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 158, pi. VIII, fig. 158. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 25.

Crach. No. 231 . Haliotis Iris. The Iris Ear Shell in its native state. From New

Zealand £1 is. od.

HIST. I, 4. IO

154 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

This species has already been mentioned as an example of Children's choice of available
rather than suitable species for illustration, but this was particularly unfortunate as it was not
in the genus when founded by Linne, and cannot stand as the type. (K. S. W ., p. 25).

20. Solarium maximum (Philippi)

Genus : Solarium. Type : Solarium perspectivum (Trochus perspectivus Linn.).

Q.J.S., XV, p. 252, pi. VIII, fig. 164. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 27.

Crach. No. 424. Trochus perspectivus Linn. From China. A very large

one of the species . . . . . . £1 is. od.

This Cracherode shell is included among the figured specimens with some reservation, Chil-
dren's figure is not sufficiently clear to show the slight differences now separating the species
of the genus Solarium. It is a fine large shell and probably the best available at the time, thus
there is every reason to accept it as the original, particularly as S. maximum was not separated
from the perspectivum complex until 1848.

21. Astraea imperialis (Gmelin)

Genus : Trochus. Type : Trochus imperialis (Idem Gmel.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 253, pi. VIII, figs. 166, 166a. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 27.

Crach. No. 396. Solaris Imperialis. The Imperial Sun Shell. From New

Zealand. In its young state . . . . • ^5 5 s - °d.

Naturally this fine New Zealand species was not known to Linne when he founded the genus
Trochus in 1758, and as pointed out by K. S. W. (p. 27) Children's selection of Lamarck's first
species must give way to the T. maculatus designated by Iredale (1912, p. 225). The Imperial
Sun Shell has been a " collector's piece " since specimens were first brought to Europe by Captain
Cook, and later figured by Martyn, Chemnitz, Donovan and others, the last named describing
a specimen in the Leverian Museum with almost religious fervour (1823, pi. XI). According
to Dell (1955. p. 16) this shell is now known as the Circular Saw Shell, a harsh and unpleasant
name that almost demands a measure of priority in vernacular as well as scientific names. In
a recent note on this species (Wilkins, 1954), tne earlier specific name heliotropium Martyn 1784,
so regularly used by Suter, Powell and other New Zealand authors was given preference, but as
a petition to validate this and some more of Martyn's names is now before the International
Commission they are only used as synonyms in this present paper.

22. Vasum turbinellum (Linne)

Genus: Turbinella. Type: Turbinella cornigera (Voluta turbinellus Linn.).

Q.J.S., XV, p. 257, pi. VIII, fig. 175. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 28.

Crach. No. 315. Murex Diabolus (Voluta turbinellus Linn) The Devil

Murex. From Madagascar ..... 8s. 6d.

This spiny group of shells, formerly included in Turbinella is now placed in the genus Vasum
Roding by Thiele and other authors, while Xancus Roding (noted by K. S. W. as preceding
Lamarck's Turbinella) is reserved for the smoother group of Chank Shells, of which Xancus
pyrum (Linne) is the type.

23. Fusus colus (Linne)

Genus : Fusus. Type : Fusus colus (Murex colus Linn.).
Q.J.S., XV, p. 258, pi. VIII, fig. 178. July 1823. K. S. W., p. 29.

Crach. No. 324. Murex colus Linn. Slender Crane. From China . . £1 us. 6d.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 155

24. Strut hiolaria stramineus (Gmelin)

Genus: Struthiolaria. Type: Struthiolaria nodulosa (Murex stramineus Gmel.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 49, pi. V, fig. 180. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 29.

Crach. No. 330. Murex . . . Knotted Murex. From South Seas . . £2 2s. od.

S. nodulosa Lamarck is a synonym of stramineus Gmelin 1791, which therefore becomes the
type species.

25. Tibia fusus (Linne)

Genus: Rostellaria. Type: Rostellaria curvirostris (Strombus fusus Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 52, pi. V, fig. 184. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 30.

Crach. No. 402. Strombus Fusus, Linn. Great or Bellied Spindle in three

different stages of growth. From Arabia Felix . . £2 12s. 6d.

The figured specimen is an immature shell, probably the second growth stage, without the
tooth-like projections on the outer lip of the adult particularly mentioned by Lamarck in his
description. One can only conclude that Children could not locate the third specimen in
Cracherode's series, or even the fully-grown shell now known to have been in the Sloane collec-
tion.

26. Strombus latissimus Linne

Genus : Strombus. Type : Strombus latissimus (Idem. Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 53, pi. V, fig. 186. October 1823. K. S. W., 31.

Crach. No. 403. Strombus latissimus Linn. (Alatus latissimus) Broad

Winged Alatus. From Amboyna . . . . £8 8s. od.

Children appears to have chosen this species mainly for its attractive form and markings, and
also because there were only juvenile specimens of Lamarck's first species (S. gigas) available
at the time.

27. Phalium glaucum (Linne)

Genus : Cassis. Type : Cassis glauca (Buccinum glaucum Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 55, pi. v, fig. 188. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 31.

Crach. No. 51. Buccinum Bezoar (Cassida bezoar) Bezoar Helmet. From

Ceylon ......... 15s.

It is of interest to note the name bezoar in the Cracherode catalogue entry, for it was used by
Humphrey in the Calonne catalogue in 1797, in French and English (p. 19, No. 310 — Le Bezoire
— Bezoar — Buccinum glaucum Linn.), the colour of the shell having some fancied resemblance
to the greyish bezoar stones voided by certain mammals, and so greatly in demand for use in
early medicine as an antidote to poison. Lamarck also uses the term Casque Bezoar in the
Histoire.

28. Harpa major Roding

Genus : Harpa. Type : Harpa ventricosa (Buccinum harpa Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 58, pi. V, fig. 193. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 32.

Crach. No. 34. Buccinum Harpa Linn. (B. Testudo Soland) (Harpa

Testudo). The Tortoiseshell Harp. From Madagascar . 15s.

The Linnean Buccinum harpa, as noted by Lamarck, was a composite species that included
practically all the Harp Shells, several distinct species being regarded only as varieties by

156 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Bruguiere, Dillwyn and others. Hanley (1855, p. 251) considered H. nobilis to be the typical
form, but Melvill (191 6, p. 26), while appreciating Hanley 's decision suggested that as H.
ventricosa was the most frequent species it might be considered the best exponent of the Linnean
B. harpa and of the genus Harpa. Melvill's paper showed that Lamarck's genus Harpa and
several of his species were predated by Roding in 1798. Thus the well-established H. ventricosa
and H. articularis were to be known as major and davidis respectively, but it is noticed that
Thiele (1931, p. 344) still retains the H. ventricosa Lamarck and Nickles (1950, p. 113) H. rosea
Lamarck and not the H. dor is Roding.

In 1945 Winckworth dealt ably with the type species of the Boltenian genera, selecting H.
nobilis Gmelin {pars) as the type of the genus Harpa (p. 140), to which Children's selection must
presumably give way. This was after all only dictated by availability, for Lamarck's type,
the rare H. imperialis Lk., was not represented in the Museum collection until some years later.
The figured Cracherode shell is easily recognized by a definite fault in the shell, faithfully repro-
duced by the artist.

29. Tonna perdix (Linne)

Genus : Dolium. Type : Dolium perdix (Buccinum perdix Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 59, pi. V, fig. 194. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 32.

Crach. No. 30. Buccinum Perdix Linn. (Dolium perdix). The Partridge

Tun. From China . . . . . . ^1 is. od.

K. S. W. (p. 32) and Children himself stated that the Buccinum galea Linne is the type species
of Dolium, the former from their fuller knowledge and the latter because it was Lamarck's first
species in the Histoire, but this again was not available to Children and in any case would have
made a less attractive or distinctive figure than the one chosen for illustration.

30. Terebellum terebellum (Linne)

Genus : Terebellum. Type : Terebellum subulatum (Bulla terebellum Linn.).

Q.J.S., XVI, p. 67, pi. V, fig. 205. October 1823. K. S. W., p. 34.

Crach. No. 516. Voluta . . . (Bulla terebellum Linn.). The Truncated

Olive. From New Caledonia . . . . . 10s. 6d.

The Linnean B. terebellum is the type species by tautonomy, Lamarck having changed the
name to subulatum in the Histoire, although he had used the former in the Prodrome in 1799.

The above item completes the list of Cracherode shells so far recognized as those
figured by Children in 1823, and as previously stated there are others among the
Sloane shells, notably Q.J.S., XV, pi. II, figs. 72 & 80, pi. Ill, fig. 105, pi. VII, fig.
112. There is every indication that further efforts would reveal a much larger series
of figured specimens, including material from the smaller donations recorded in
Children's manuscript catalogue of the mollusca collections.

The next period to consider is from 1824, when J. E. Gray started to publish his
papers largely based on Museum material, to 1828, when William Wood produced
the Supplement to the Index Textaceologicus, in which many figures of new species
appeared for the first time. Before proceeding to a discussion of these, it may be
of use to add a brief note on the work of the latter author, said by Swainson (1840,
p. 380) to be " now the most learned bookseller in London for works connected with
natural history ".

Born in 1774, William Wood eventually entered the medical profession and
practised in London until 1815, when he changed to bookselling and publishing,

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 157

carrying on his business from No. 428, Strand, London. He was elected Fellow of
the Linnean Society in 1798 and Fellow of the Royal Society in 181 2. His works
were of a semi-popular nature, dealing with general zoology, conchology and
entomology, but the strict adherence to the Linnean system caused them to be less
useful than they really deserved. Wood's first conchological publication was the
General Conchology of 1815 (reissued in 1835 with new title page) of which only the
first volume appeared, the second being abandoned from lack of public support.
This was followed by the first edition of the Index Testaceologicus in 1818, a second
edition very much enlarged and improved in 1825, and finally a reprint plus
Supplement in 1828.

Swainson (1840, p. 380) reports on Wood's Index as follows : " These figures are
executed with great neatness, and often with beauty. The arrangement, however,
is that of Linnaeus, and the synonyms often short and incorrect. Mr. Wood, Jun.,
by whom the plates were executed, has made every endeavour to procure original
specimens for deliniation ; but when the species could not be found in London
cabinets, he has very properly copied the original figure, quoted by Linnaeus, or
by his followers. A supplement has since been added ". Swainson gives the date
of the first edition (1818), in which the figures are anything but neat, and mostly
lack beauty, all in fact having a decidedly amateurish appearance. A minute
" W. W." engraved at the base of the plates indicates that William Wood had
rather unsuccessfully endeavoured to become artist as well as author and publisher.
The plates in the later enlarged editions of 1825 and 1828 (the first six of which were
engraved by J. Sowerby and the rest by Wood, Jun.) are of a distinctly higher
standard, and it seems therefore that Swainson was reporting on the 1825 edition
rather than the 18 18 as stated. The figures are particularly good in the Supplement,
where they have proved to be faithful reproductions by comparison with the original
specimens.

Used by itself this addition to the Index is very misleading, and has frequently led
to names being credited to Wood instead of Gray and vice versa. It was arranged
on the same Linnean plan as the larger work, which was principally a compilation,
the names appearing under the column headed " Linnean names ". In the Supple-
ment most of the names were, as the author says, wholly unknown to Linne, " yet
as the arrangement is Linnean, the head could not well be dispensed with without
injury to the body ". It does not seem to have occurred to him to place the
authorities after the names, if other than Linnean. Wood does, however, give a few
indications under the heading " Synon. & Ref." but these refer principally to the
various collections from which the shells were figured, the names attached to them
being adopted. Most of them, he says, were from specimens in the British Museum,
so that one gets a mixture of names which had to be sorted out by reference to a
list of Lamarckian names adapted to the Index at the end of the book, but even then
there were naturally a number unknown to Lamarck (indicated in italics) for which
no proper authority was given.

Much of the confusion created by Wood's Supplement was cleared up by Hanley
in his 1856 edition of the Index Testaceologicus, in which fairly full references to the
original authors were given, but even so names were attributed to the owners of

158 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

specimens labelled in manuscript, rather than to Wood as first publisher — Mactra
recurva for instance (p. 201), is attributed to Gray presumably because it was taken
from a manuscript name on a Museum tablet. Many of Mawe's manuscript names
are treated in the same way by Hanley, usually referred to as " Mawe. I. T ", and
thus it is that a number of names improperly attributed to Mawe are to be found
in Carpenter's Report of 1863 (p. 524) immediately following his eulogy on the
excellence of Hanley's edition of the Index.

The difficulties encountered in the use of Wood's Supplement were of course greatly
simplified by the advent of Sherborn's indispensable Index Animalium (1801-50),
but caution is still necessary when dealing with the combined efforts of Gray and
Wood.

J. E. Gray's early monograph on Cypraea (1824-28), has already been quoted
and there is no doubt that Cracherode shells were included among those referred to
" Mus. Brit.", but as several collections were often quoted (Mus. Brit., Sowb., Nost.,
etc.) it is not easy to select individuals, except when " Mus. Brit." occurs alone, as in
the case of the Cypraea aurora, or Orange Cowry (Zool. J., p. 150) where it is stated
that " This shell is considered a very great rarity without a hole in the side ; this
hole is formed by the natives of the Friendly Islands, where it constitutes one of
the ornaments worn by their chiefs ". The only Orange Cowry then available was
the Cracherode specimen (No. 204) from Otaheite, which certainly has a hole in
the side and shows evidence of considerable wear ; it was purchased by Cracherode
for eight guineas.

A most important paper was published by J. E. Gray in the Annals of Philosophy
for February 1825, with the following title and superscription :

A List and Description of some Species of Shells not taken Notice of by Lamarck.

By John Edward Gray Esq. M.G.S.

(To the Editors of the Annals of Philosophy)

British Museum. Jan. io, 1825.
Gentlemen,

In the following list I have referred several species, which have not been taken notice of
by Lamarck, to his genera, and have described some new ones that are contained in the
collection in the British Museum, where most of the species are exhibited with the names,
here adopted, attached.

Your obedient servant,
J. E. Gray.

Several Cracherode specimens were described as new species in this early paper,
namely Lucina Childrenae, Cytherea crassa, C. pinguis, C. Solanderii, C. aurisiaca
and Crenatula folium. Only three of these specimens have so far been located —
L. Childrenae, C. Solanderii and Crenatula folium. Cytherea pinguis and aurisiaca
are certainly represented in Gray's own collection, and were it not for the rather
large numbers usually placed on the shells by E. W. Gray, it might have been possible
for the Cracherode shells to have become mixed with J. E. Gray's own specimens,
but no trace of any numbers can be seen.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 159

The three existing Cracherode type specimens described by Gray in 1825 are listed
below :

1. Miltha childrenae (Gray) Lectotype. PI. 24, fig. 6.

Crach. No. 216. Tellina (Acerata inaequivalvis) White Acerata with unequal

valves, and a gilded extender. From Brazil. Unique . £5 5s. 56I

There is no doubt that this is the original specimen, the " gilded extender " referred to being
merely a rim of yellowish periostracum still adhering to the outer margin of the under valve of
the shell, clearly shown in PI. 24, fig. 6 (natural size).

First Description
J. E. Gray, Zoological Journal, 1, p. 221, June 1824.

The first mention of this species appeared in rather an odd manner in the chapter on reversed
shells in Mr. Gray's Conchological Observations printed in the above journal, where the author
mentions two specimens of a new Lucina in the Tankerville collection, adding a footnote
saying " I call this new shell Lucina Childrinae [sic], it is distinguished from all other Lucinae
by being unequivalved, and approaching nearly in form to the Cytherea exuleta ; there is another
specimen in the British Museum ".

This footnote can hardly be called a good description, although actual specimens were referred
to, but adequate search in available catalogues and among existing collections of known pur-
chasers of the Tankerville shells (i.e. Broderip, Lincoln, Leathes, Goodall and the British Museum)
have failed to reveal the whereabouts of the two specimens first mentioned and it therefore
seems advisable to rely on Gray's second and proper description applied to the Cracherode
shell which certainly formed part of his original material.

It is pleasant to pause here to note that even at this early date J . E. Gray had already developed
his propensity for naming shells after the ladies of his acquaintance, such names as Georginae,
Sophae, and Emmae falling easily from his pen, and there is no doubt that he intended the name
of this new species as a compliment to the daughter of his friend, a kindred spirit, who was
said by the author to have " a well-selected cabinet " of her own (Zool. /., 1, p. 144).

Second Description

J. E. Gray, Annals of Philosophy, 9, p. 136, February 1825.

" Lucina Childrenae. Testa suborbiculata inaequivalvibus alba subantiquata ; tenussime
radiata substriata : long. 3. unc. Brazil, Humphreys nob." — Zool. J . 1, p. 221.

Reference to the above description was made in the Tankerville catalogue, which was
apparently published shortly afterwards, but with the date of the Annals of Philosophy shown
as 1824, and the masculine termination to the name.

G. B. Sowerby, Tankerville Catalogue, p. 11, No. 206, 1825.

Lucina Childreni (a.b.) Gray, in Annals of Philosophy (1824) 2 specimens : one being
the reverse of the other."

According to a priced copy of the catalogue in the British Museum (Natural History), once
the property of J. E. Gray, and said by him to be a copy of the one kept in the room for the
use of intending purchasers, these two shells were priced by Sowerby at ten guineas the pair,
the same pro rata price paid by Cracherode many years earlier. No figure of Gray's new species
was published until January 1826, when G. B. Sowerby included the interior of a single valve
in Part XXVII (Lucina) of the Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells. It is quite likely, although
the origin of the specimen was not mentioned, that it was a valve of one of the Tankerville
shells, for it is known that Sowerby took the opportunity to note and figure many of the
novelties in that collection for future use, while preparing the sale catalogue early in 1825.

160 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

The species was figured for the second time by Wood in the Supplement of 1828 (Tellina. p. 3,
pi. i, fig. 1), again spelt Childreni and referred to the British Museum, with the original locality
" Brazil ".

Since Humphrey's day this locality had always been accepted as correct for the species, then
as now a fairly rare shell. P. P. Carpenter, however, threw doubt on the locality " Brazil "
when noting American West Coast shells in the Tankerville catalogue in his Report of 1863,
where he makes the following categorical statements : (1 ) under the Tankerville specimen No. 206 :

" Lucina Childreni (described by Gray in Ann. Phil. 1824 ; v, also Zool. J. vol. i, 1825,
pp. 221-2.

" There is no authority for the statement that it came from Brazil. The Br. Mus.
specimens are from ' Mus. Cracherode ', and are probably West Coast. The only known
locality is Cape St. Lucas."

And again (2) on p. 620, No. 113 :

" Miltha Childreni (A few fresh specimens correct the habitat ' Brazil ', previously assigned
to this extremely rare and remarkable shell, which appears to be a gigantic Felania)."

These statements led Dall to record the species as a native of the Gulf of California and not
Brazil (1901, p. 812), and it was not until four years later that he was enabled to correct his
statement, having received a specimen of Miltha childrenae from Pernambuco, collected by
Carvalho " thus confirming Gray's original locality " (1905, p. in), a locality which originated
from the Cracherode collection via George Humphrey in the 1790's.

As noted by Dall, Carpenter's record of Cape San Lucas was a clear case of misidentification, for
a comparison between specimens from that place named by Carpenter, and the one from Pernam-
buco proved them to be " two very similar but distinct species ", the rarity of the shells being
responsible for the delay in discovering the mistake. To the Cape San Lucas shell Dall gave
the specific name xantusi, in honour of its discoverer, John Xantus, a Hungarian employee
of the United States Government. He spent eighteen months on Cape San Lucas as a tidal
observer from i860 to 1861, taking the opportunity while there to collect specimens of all groups
of marine animals for the Smithsonian Institution, thus adding zest to " his solitary and what
would otherwise have been monotonous life " (Carpenter, 1863, p. 617). Steinbeck & Ricketts,
however (1941, p. 61), make it fairly clear that when not assiduously collecting and watching
the tides, the life of Xantus was far more colourful and less monotonous than the good Dr.
Carpenter would have imagined, and that there is substantial living evidence to prove his sojourn
on the Cape to be something more than a legend to the present inhabitants.

Xantus made a real contribution to knowledge of the marine fauna of the Gulf of California,
adding at least sixty new molluscan species to those already in the great Mazatlan collections
gathered together by Frederick Reigen, an enthusiastic Belgian who filled his house with
decomposing molluscs to such an extent that the neighbours had to call in the police ! (Carpenter,
1863, P- 54°) • The same author tells us (p. 617) that " During the period Mr. Xantus was out
of employment owing to the derangements of the war, a portion of the duplicates were offered
for sale, and will be found in some of the principal collections." It was probably at this time
that the single Cape San Lucas specimen of M. xantusi in the Museum collection was obtained
by Hugh Cuming, duly labelled " California " with Cape St. Lucas written inside the shell
in pencil.

The sub-genus Miltha was erected by H. & A. Adams for the reception of M. childrenae in
1857 (2, p. 468), later authors, including Thiele (1935, p. 866) giving it full generic rank.

2. Sunetta solanderii (Gray) Holotype.

J. E. Gray, Annals of Philosophy, 9, p. 137, 1825 (Cytherea).

Crach. No. 170. Pectunculus . . . (Venus Hians Soland). Thick Lettered

Clam. From China ....... 10s. 6d.

There is little need to repeat Gray's original description, except to note that he recorded the
use of the name hians by Solan der and Humphreys in manuscript. The shell must at some time

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 161

have been labelled with this earlier name, for so it appears in Wood's Supplement (pi. 2, Venus,
fig. 11) in 1828, obviously drawn from the Cracherode type specimen described by Gray.

3. Crenatula folium Gray Holotype. PI. 24, fig. 7.

J. E. Gray, Annals of Philosophy, 9, p. 139, 1825.

In this description Gray tentatively suggested a new genus Dalacia for his Crenatula folium,
apparently based on the slightly different position of the umboes of the shells. The original
descriptions of genus and species were as follows : " Crenatula. This genus may be divided
into two sections, which may perhaps hereafter be considered as genera by the same character as
separates Mytilus from Modiola, 1. Testa quadrata umbonibus anterioribus, which includes the
species or rather varieties mentioned by Lamarck. 2. Testa ovata umbonibus sub anterioribus
(Dalacia) containing the following : Cre. folium. Testa albida radiata compressa ; latere
antico rotundato, postico alata. Brand's fournal XV, t. 2, f. 81, figura pulcherrima. Vulsella
folium. Humph. Mus. Cracherode."

This Cracherode specimen (No. 93), already referred to among those figured by Children in
1823 (No. 7), originated from the Calonne collection, having been purchased from George
Humphrey between 1797 and 1799 for the sum of eight guineas. It was described by Humphrey
on page 44 of the Museum Calonnianum (No. 821), under the genus Vulsella in 1797.

The shell has naturally become faded and somewhat damaged during the years, the faint
rays of violet only now being discernible on the lower valve of the shell, where it was attached
to the Museum tablet. Considering the friable nature of even fresh specimens of any Crenatula,
the Cracherode shell is in tolerably good condition. It was figured for the second time by
Wood in 1828 as Mytilus folium (pi. 2, Mytilus, fig. 4) " Locality unknown." Reeve figured the
species from excellent specimens in the Cuming collection (1858, Crenatula, sp. 5a, b) as a new
species, C. flammea, but this is certainly the C. folium Gray, having the same white, hair-like
radial markings not to be seen in any other species of Crenatula so far examined. Reeve
figured a shell he called C. folium (pi. II, sp. 7) but this was only a pale form of C. picta (Gmelin)
from the Red Sea, shown correctly in the previous figure on the same plate.

Reeve's figures of C. flammea, from New Caledonia, show the true colour of C. folium Gray,
and his locality, now adopted for the type, is further confirmed by specimens so marked in the
J. J. MacAndrew collection. This locality is particularly acceptable as Humphrey is known
to have had a supply of shells from New Caledonia, including several species of very charac-
teristic Placostylus.

Gray included his genus Dalacia (so uncertainly proposed in 1825) in his List of Genera and
Types in 1847, with D. folium as the type species (p. 200, No. 375), but few authors appear
to have bothered about it since, except to quote it as a synonym of Crenatula (H. & A. Adams,
1857, p. 528).

Cracherode Specimens Figured by William Wood in
the Supplement to the Index Testaceologicus 1828

The following series of type and figured specimens are of species said to be found
on the Museum tablets, and not included in the 1825 edition of the Index. A few
have already appeared in previous lists, but these must of necessity be mentioned
again to indicate the further use of the Cracherode shells.

1. Mactra striatula Linne

Mactra subplicata Lamarck. /. T. Supp., p. 4, pi. 1, Mactra, fig. 6. Tranquebar.
Crach. No. 58. Mactra striatula Linn. Half striated Mactra. From Tran-
quebar ......... 10s. 6d.

162 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

2. Mactra alata Spengler

Mactra alata, I. T. Supp., p. 4, pi. 1, Mactra, fig. 7. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 221. Trigonella fimbriata, white fringed Trigonella. From

Brazil ......... 10s. 6d.

It appears that if localities were not mentioned on the Museum tablets Wood simply recorded
them as unknown, whereas if he had consulted the Cracherode or Children manuscript catalogues
he would have found many of them correctly entered therein ; M. alata is a well-known Brazilian
species.

3. Trapezium sowerby i Hidalgo. PL 22, fig. 36. Holotype ofT. angulata (Wood).

Chama angulata. I . T. Supp., p. 6, pi. 2, Chama, fig. 1. New Holland.

Crach. No. 35. Chama oblonga Soland. Purple oblong chama. From Pulo

Condore . . . . . . . . ^3 3s. od.

This species has been discussed on p. 150 above, but is included here because Wood gave it
the new name angulata (non-Lamarck), although he had previously figured it as oblonga Linne
(1825, p. 42, pi. 9, fig. 14), probably copied from Chemnitz ; how he obtained the locality New
Holland is not known, for Pulo Condore, recently confirmed as a genuine record, was clearly
shown on the tablet and in both manuscript catalogues.

4. Voluta subnodosa Leach

Voluta subnodosa. I. T. Supp., p. 9, pi. 3, Voluta, fig. 1. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 475. Voluta . . . Great Undulated Volute. From the Straits

of Megellan. The only perfect one known . . . ^10 os. od.

This species was described and figured by Leach in 1814 (1, p. 24, Tab. VIII) also without
locality, and as recorded elsewhere (Wilkins, 1953, P- 4 1 ) was described from a specimen in the
Sloane collection, presumed to have come from the Straits of Magellan. Leach said he knew
of only two specimens, one in the British Museum and the other belonging to Mr. Bullock. No
mention was made of the very fine Cracherode shell which should have been available to him,
clearly catalogued and localized by E. W. Gray in 1801.

5. Tonna ringens (Swainson)

Buccinum ringens, I.T. Supp., p. II, pi. 4, Buccinum, fig. 1. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 46. Buccinum (Cassida Auris-Leonis), Lion's Ear Helmet.

Fom Sibo, an Island near Panama . . . £5 5s. od.

Long confused with the less globular T. pomum (Linne) this species was described as Cassis
ringens by Swainson in 1822 {appendix, p. 4) from the collection of Mrs. Bligh, widow of a certain
Captain Bligh. No figure or locality was given with this description, thus the Cracherode shell
was the first to appear as an example of the new species in this country. The island of Sibo
mentioned in the catalogue entry was evidently an early spelling of Coiba, an island west of the
Bay of Panama, a known locality for T. ringens (Tomlin, 1927, p. 165).

This and other localities given correctly by Humphrey, and so little used by his followers,
show once again that these early records should not be ignored.

6. Phalium semigranosum (Lamarck)

Buccinum semigranosum, I. T. Supp., p. 11. Buccinum, fig. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 52. Buccinum . . . Quaker Helmet, From New Holland . £2 2s. od.

Tryon (1885, p. 275) incorrectly attributes the name of this species to Wood instead of Lamarck
(1822), but gives the correct locality South Australia and Tasmania, thus confirming Humphrey's
" New Holland ".

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 163

7. Strombus galeatus Swainson (Juvenile) Paratype ofS. galea Wood.
Strombus galea junior, /. T. Supp., p. 14, pi. 4, Strombus, fig. 14. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 408. Strombus . . . Grooved Wing Shell. Font Acapulca . £5 os. od.
This Cracherode shell was mentioned some time ago in a note designating a lectotype of
S. galeatus Swainson (Wilkins, 19536, p. 290), selected from aBroderip specimen, formerly labelled
5. crenatus Sowerby (1825). Apart from Wood, several collectors and authors seemed unaware
of Swainson's description of 1823, notably C. B. Adams (1852, p. 111) who gave preference to
Wood's S. galea, while accrediting the name S. galeatus to J. E. Gray. The range of the species
appears to be on the West Coast of Central America from Mazatlan to Peru, only fragments
being found in the Bay of Panama by Adams in 1850. In 1823 Swainson said that several full-
grown specimens had recently been brought from Peru, by whom he does not state, but it is
quite possible they arrived through ordinary commerce, or even from the voyage of Humboldt
and Bonpland, who visited Peru and Acapulco in the early 1800's. It is equally uncertain
who may have collected the Cracherode specimen of S. galeatus from Acapulco previous
to 1799, but evidence points to Joseph Dombey, the French botanist who was an early visitor
to the Panama province, arriving at Peru in 1778. Tomlin (1927, p. 167) records the species
from the islands of Coiba and Gorgona.

8. Strombus ther sites Swainson Lectotype.
Strombus Ther sites, I. T. Supp., p. 14, pi. 4, Strombus, fig. 17. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 404. Strombus (Alatus marmoratus) Marbled Wing Shell. From

New Caledonia. Unique . . . . . . £6 6s. od.

Little need be said of this specimen as it was discussed in the paper designating it the lecto-
type of S. thersites Swainson (Wilkins, 1951, pp. 238-9), but it is of interest to recall that Wood's
figure of 1828 was the first and only figure of the Cracherode shell to appear until the halftone
reproduction accompanying the above paper.

9. Haliotis ruber Leach Holotype.
Haliotis rubra, I. T. Supp., p. 26, pi. 8, Haliotis, fig. 1. New Holland.

Crach. No. 233. Great Broad Ear Shell. New South Wales £1 is. od.

This specimen has already occurred above among the species described by Leach, but Wood's
misspelt rubra is to be noted, an error repeated by Hanley in his revised edition of the Index
in 1856 (p. 232).

10. Padollus scalaris Leach Holotype.
Haliotis tricostata, I. T. Supp., p. 26, pi. 8, Haliotis, fig. 2. Locality unknown.

Crach. No. 240. The Broad tuberculated Ear Shell from Hainan . . . 8s.

Wood's name seems to be merely an error for the H. tricostalis Lamarck, although he places
it in his Lamarckian index in italics, thus indicating that it is not to be found in the Histoire, but
whatever his intention, it is only a synonym of P. scalaris Leach.

1 1 . Stomatella sulcifera Lamarck

Haliotis sulcifera, I. T. Supp., p. 26, pi. 8. Haliotis, fig. 3. Van Dieman's Land.
Crach. No. 241. Haliotis . . . Clouded Haliotis. From Van Dieman's

Land £1 is. od.

In addition to the foregoing list of Cracherode shells figured by Wood in 1828,
there are several others referred to by J. E. Gray in two of his papers published at a

164 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

later date, in both of which he created new genera and species based mainly on
Museum material. The first of these papers appeared in the Magazine of Natural
History for 1837, (Art. VII, pp. 370-6) with the following title :

Art. VII. A Synoptical Catalogue of the Species of certain Tribes or Genera
of Shells contained in the Collection of the British Museum and
the Author's Cabinet ; with Descriptions of the new Species. By
John Edward Gray, F.R.S., &c. President of the Botanical Society
of London.

This paper dealt largely with Mactra, Spisula and Lutraria, several of the species
referred to originating from Cracherode specimens, although not always indicated
as such by the author, who was notoriously lax in giving proper details in his
descriptions. Not the least confusing habit was to attribute names to himself
rather than to another, as first publisher, thus at least three of the species to be
listed below, attributed to Gray in the paper of 1837, are i n reality Gray's manuscript
names first published by Wood in 1828.

1. Mactra aspersa Sowerby Holotype o/M. tenera Wood.

Mactra tenera, I. T. Supp., p. 4, pi. 1, Mactra, fig. 4. Van Dieman's L.

Crach. No. 61. Mactra tenera. Thin Mactra. From Maria Island Van

Dieman's Land ... A New Species . . . £1 is. od.

" Spisula tenera Gray ", Mag. Nat. Hist. (New Ser.), 1, p. 373, 1837.

Although the Cracherode specimen remains the type of Wood's M. tenera it is only a synonym
of M. aspersa Sowerby described in the Tankerville catalogue in 1825 (App. p. ii). The type
came to the Museum in the Broderip collection much later, and was eventually mounted on the
same tablet as the Cracherode shell, correctly labelled Mactera aspersa Sowerby. It is perhaps
surprising to note that although Gray was quite aware of Sowerby's earlier name for this species,
and quoted it in his notes on Spisula, he still gives Wood's later name priority (attributed to
himself), in direct contradiction to his ideas on that subject expressed in the paper on Cypraea
already noted above (1828, p. 68). The subject of priority is again referred to by Gray in
1847 (p. 129), where he says it is needless for him to dilate on the importance of attending to
the law of priority " which I have always advocated, for that is now almost universally allowed,
yet I am quite prepared for hearing several conchologists complain of the changes which the observ-
ance of this just law will force them to make". While appreciating J. E. Gray's great services
to zoology, particularly in the building up of the Museum's great zoological collection (which
he made the greatest in the world) it is to be regretted that in his published work he did not always
observe the law he so strongly advocated. This neglect presents almost daily problems to
those who are obliged to study some of the results of his fifty years of almost feverish activity
in all branches of zoology.

2 (a) Labiosa lineata (Say) Holotype of Mactra cyprinus Wood.

Mactra cyprinus I. T. Supp., p. 4, pi. 1, Mactra, fig. 1. Peru. 1828.
Lutraria Cyprinus Gray. Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. (New Ser.), 1, p. 375, 1837.

This thin and fragile shell has a long history, and although one valve was " holed " when
forced off its tablet by blast during World War II, it is still essentially complete and recognized
as the specimen purchased by Humphrey from the Calonne collection in 1797, and sold to C. M.
Cracherode for four guineas soon afterwards. This purchase was duly entered in the latter's

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 165

personal catalogue, followed by the letters " M.C.", the description only being copied into the
Museum catalogue by E. W. Gray in 1801 (pi. 25, fig. 9).

Crach. No. 59. Mactra Cyprini. Carp's Mouth Mactra. From Peru ?

Unique . . . . . . . . . ^4 4s. od.

There is no doubt that Wood's figure, quoted above, was adapted from the Cracherode shell,
for the pronounced radial rib and the rather widely gaping valves are shown to advantage, a
feature that led Gray to place the species in the genus Lutraria, where it appears in a separate
section in his paper of 1837, quoted as Lutraria cyprinus Gray, with a reference to Wood's
original figure of 1828. In 1840 Gray created a new genus Cypricia for these Mactroid shells
with the gaping valves, which first appeared in the Synopsis of the contents of the British Museum
(p. 149), a nomen nudum until confirmed in his List of Genera published in 1847 (No. 565, wrongly
dated 1837) with the genus Labiosa in use to-day as a synonym. Needless to say, the Cracherode
shell was duly labelled Cypricia cyprina at some time between 1840 and 1847 by J. E. Gray's
assistant Dr. W. Baird, who worked so hard curating the Museum collections from 1840 until
his death in 1872.

This Cracherode specimen was figured for the second time by Reeve in the Conchologia
Iconica as Mactra cyprinus Gray, but without locality (1854, Mactra, sp. 37), Cypricia cyprina
appearing only as a synonym. Reeve refers the specimen to " Mus. Cuming ", whereas it
should have been " Mus. Brit.", there being no doubt as to the origin of the figured specimen.
It exhibits a scar caused by damage to the shell during life (not shown by Wood) but noted on
the tablet by E. A. Smith some years later, when re-labelling the specimen Labiosa lineata Say,
and said by him to be the cause of the unusually wide gape to the shell (pi. 25, fig. 9). Inci-
dentally the question whether to favour the genus Labiosa Moller or Cypricia Gray was discussed
by E. A. Smith as recently as 1914 (p. 150), but although he inclined toward the use of the latter,
no alteration was made to his label.

Humphrey did right to query the locality " Peru " for according to Dall (1889, p. 65), the
species occurs on the East Coast of the United States from New Jersey south to Cuba, while
Abbott (1954, p. 449) records it from North Carolina to Texas — " uncommon in most areas of
its range ". Maxwell Smith (1951, p. 65) extends this range further south to Brazil.

3 (b). Labiosa lineata (Say) Holotype of Mactra recurva Wood. PL 25, fig. 12.

Mactra recurva I. T. Supp., p. 4, pi. 1, Mactra, fig. 2. Locality unknown.
Lutraria recurva Gray. Gray in Mag. Nat. Hist. (New Ser.), 1, p. 375, 1837.

Crach. No. 60. Mactra recurva. Recurved Mactra. From Brazil . . £1 is. od.

While agreeing that the shell originally named Mactra recurva by Humphrey in 1797, figured
by Wood in 1828 and referred to by Gray in 1837 * s somewhat smaller than the contemporary
Mactra cyprinus, it is rather surprising that neither of these three authors noticed that the two
shells were merely growth stages of one and the same species, for Conrad had already shown them
to be synonymous in 1831, a circumstance overlooked by Gray. However, he allowed the two
species recurva and cyprinus to form the separate section Lutraria to which the name Cypricia
was given later. When the six genera of Mactridae enumerated by Gray in 1837 were eventually
increased by him to eighteen in 1853 (pp. 33-4) Wood's recurva was selected to represent the
genus Cypricia, in the place of the Mactra anatina used in the earlier List of Genera (1847, No.

565).

Humphrey appears to have been more fortunate in his locality on this occasion, for as noted
above Labiosa lineata certainly occurs in Brazil.

The second paper by J. E. Gray in which appeared a few specimens in connexion
with Wood's Supplement of 1828, was published in the Analyst for July 1838 (pp.
302-9), and as it is of some importance, often quoted, but seldom seen, it may be
of interest to print the title and superscription in full :

166 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

' ' Catalogue of the species of the genus Cy therea, of Lamarck, with the description
of some new genera and species.

By John Edward Gray. F.R.S.
of the Zoological Department of the British Museum.

British Museum ist June, 1838.
Dear Sir,

As you have been kind enough to express a wish that I should send you a zoological
paper for insertion in your useful journal, I have great pleasure in enclosing you a mono-
graphic revision of the Genus Cytherea of Lamarck, which I have found necessary to divide
into several genera, and to which I have added the description of the new species which are
in the collection of the British Museum, or in my private cabinet.

Yours, very truly,

John E. Gray."
To the Editor of the " Analyst ".

This paper contains about twenty new species distributed among the eight genera
into which Gray divided the original genus Cytherea Lamarck ; thus we find the
Cytherea Solanderii of 1825 moved to Meroe, with the name misspelt Solandri, an
error repeated by future authors using the paper, notably Deshayes (1853, p. 44,
Cuneus Solandri) and Jukes-Brown (1914, p. 66, Sunetta Solandri) ; Venus
damaoides Wood becomes Trigona donacoides Gray (p. 304), and a new species of
Circe appears under the specific name Crachrodii, apparently an error for Cracherodei.
Although the type of this species is a Cracherode shell no mention was made to that
effect in Gray's description, from which it may be concluded that by this time (1838)
the Cracherode collection was very much a part of the Museum's general collection
and seldom referred to again individually, " Mus. Brit." or " B. M." becoming legion
for specimens from all sources.

In this, as in other papers, Gray mentions very few collectors or localities, but as
stated in his superscription, all the specimens were in the British Museum or in his
private cabinet, " My collection " appearing quite frequently. However, most of
the type specimens from the Gray collection are in the Museum, many having been
segregated by various workers after its presentation by Mrs. Gray in 1874 " who had
formed it during the many years of a happy married life " (Giinther, 1912, p. 28).
Figured specimens marked " Gray Cab " by Wood in his Supplement are still
occasionally recognized among this material, much of it collected during the various
voyages and travels undertaken by J. E. Gray's contemporaries.

Apart from Sunetta solanderii (Gray) already referred to, there are only two
other Cracherode shells so far recognized from the rather scanty descriptions, and
these may be briefly noted as follows :

1. Tivela damaoides (Wood) Holotype.

Venus Damaoides, Wood, /. T. Supp., p. 6, pi. 2, Venus, fig. 17. East Indies.
Trigona donacoides Gray, The Analyst, 8, p. 304.

Crach. No. 176. Pectunculus . . . Flat Thick Variegated Satchel Clam.

From East Indies ....... 5s.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 167

The discrepancy in these two names must have been due to an error in transcribing a manu-
script label by Wood, for it is certainly the same shell as described by Gray, and must take the
earlier name. Gray ignores damaoides, referring his Tivela donacoides to Venus donacoides
Gray, " Wood. Supp. t. 2. f. 17." although no such name appeared in the Supplement. The
species was quoted by Deshayes (1853, p. 47), and Jukes-Brown (1913, p. 267) as Tivela damaoides,
attributed to Gray on each occasion. The latter author agreed with Hanley 1856 (p. 204) that
it was in all probability little more than a variety of T. Ponderosa (Koch), from the Red Sea.

2. Circe crachrodii (Sic) Gray Holotype. PI. 25, fig. 14.

J.E. Gray, The Analyst, 8, p. 307, 1838. Unfigured.

Crach. No. 169. Pectunculus . . . Oval variegated Clam. From Guinea . 5s.

The original spelling of this species has already been noted but it may be added that Deshayes
corrected it to Circe Cracherodii Gray without comment in his Catalogue of the Conchifera (1853,
pp. 92-93)-

The above species concludes the lists of type and figured specimens used by various
authors during the first half of the nineteenth century, when the Cracherode collection
became finally distributed among the large general collection, having ceased for
some time to be a separate entity. Some specimens were even mounted on tablets
with others of the same species from quite different collections. Before leaving this
period, during which Children and Gray accomplished so much in rehabilitating and
adding to the collections, it may be of interest to return for a moment to 1824 to
record a difference of opinion between William Swainson and J. E. Gray, which was
given a certain amount of publicity in the early numbers of the Zoological Journal
(1824-25) and closely associated with a Cracherode specimen of Thiara cancellata
Roding, then known as Melania setosa Swainson.

Thiara cancellata Roding

Crach. No. 472. Turbo . . . (Spirilla spinosa). Freshwater spiral spined

Shell. From Admiralty Island. New Guinea. . . £5 5s. od.

Melania setosa was described by Swainson as a new species in April 1824 (p. 13),
with particular notice of the curious bristle-like structures said to be embedded into
the hollow spines adorning the upper part of the whorls of the shell. In his further
observations, Swainson refers to these as " a formation altogether unprecedented
amongst this class of animals ", the bristles being " rooted as it were into the body
of the shell ". Gray read the description of this new species with evident surprise,
for in an article sent to the Zoological Journal soon afterwards (June, 1824, P- 2 54)
the following paragraph appears from his pen — " Now it happens that there are
two specimens of this ' new and most extraordinary ' shell in the British Museum,
one of which was in the Cracherode collection, No. 472, and named by Humphreys
' Spirilla spinosa, fresh water spiral spined shell, from Admiralty Island, New Guinea,'
and another presented by Dr. Leach ; both have to my knowledge been exposed to
the public view for upwards of three years, and I am very much inclined to believe
that the Buccinum aculeatum of Lister's Mantissa, t. 1055. £ 8. is intended for this
shell ; but from the name of Humphreys, I some time ago named the specimen in
the Museum Melania spinosa."

168 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

Gray goes on to say there is little difference from Melania amarula except that in
the species under discussion the spines are tubular with the periostracum drawn in
and enclosed in the tube, the processes of which form the " bristles ". He then
proceeds to figure the two museum specimens (Zool. J. pi. VIII, figs. 6, 7, 8) with a
more detailed one of the periostracal processes. The first figure is the Cracherode
shell No. 472 (which had lost its bristles) and the second Dr. Leach's more perfect
specimen, from which the enlargement of the bristles was taken. Gray cites
Neritina corona (Clithon coronata) as another analagous species, in which the spines are
tubular, at any rate in the earlier growth stages. In the next number of the Zoo-
logical Journal (October, 1824, p. 399) Swainson replied to Gray's criticism in a
letter to the editors dated 15th August 1824, couched in truly Swainsonian style, in
which he counters Gray's suggestion that the shell was not new to science, or that it
presented nothing extraordinary in its construction. He was particularly incensed
at Gray's remark that he had already named the specimen in the Museum collection,
for " until now, naturalists have considered a species to be new, which has not been
described or figured in any printed book. But, according to the singular doctrine
of this writer, we are bound to make the tour of all the museums — public or private —
native or continental, and consult all their manuscript catalogues, before we venture
to say we are describing a new object. Melania setosa appears to exist in the British
Museum, and to be named in the manuscript catalogue. The shell may be in a
dozen collections, and have a dozen manuscript names, for ought I know to the
contrary. What follows? Why, that the shell is not new to science ; although it
has confessedly never been described, or publicly recorded ".

Swainson then continues, much in the same tone, suggesting that in supposing
Lister's figure (tab. 1055, fig. 8) to represent Melania setosa, Gray was flouting the
authority of Linnaeus, Gmelin, Martini and Lamarck, " who had all quoted this
identical figure as representing M. amarula, Lam ". This was due to the fact that
Lister's figure (which is certainly Swainson's shell), in common with most early
figures, did not show the bristles peculiar to the species, but not absolutely necessary
for its identification. In Lister's specimen the bristles were broken off, thus causing
most early authors to consider it a variety of Melania amarula. Even the Cracherode
shell figured by Gray was practically denuded of bristles, a feature that drew another
volley from Swainson, who was obviously too annoyed to realize that it had been
used merely to illustrate the hollow spines, which are quite well shown, while
Leach's shell (well drawn in Gray's fig. 7) shows the bristles to better advantage.
These two specimens were the only ones available to Gray at the time, but sufficient
to prove his point.

In the following January Gray replied to Swainson's attack, producing further
evidence to prove his statements, quoting at least four early authors who had figured
or described the species. Swainson had objected to Gray's analogy of Neritina
corona as a tubular spined species, citing five original descriptions from ' ' the greatest
naturalists who have written on the subject " including Chemnitz, to disprove it.
Unfortunately he did not seek further than these authors' specific characters, for
in his full description of the shell now known as Clithon coronata Leach, Chemnitz
clearly stated that the spines " are inwardly hollow like a reed ", a point which Gray

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 169

did not hesitate to bring home, in addition to other references overlooked by his
opponent.

Nothing more appeared in the Zoological Journal from the pens of Gray or
Swainson on this subject, but in 1833, when the latter again published a description
and excellent figure of his Melania setosa in the Zoological Illustrations (Ser. 2) the
text to plate 1 of Melania concludes with the following paragraph — " We were
unwillingly drawn into a controversy respecting this shell some years ago. Our
sentiments, in every thing that regards the shell itself, are unchanged. Not so with
respect to the individual. The civilities and attentions we have since received from
Mr. Gray, leave us to regret, very sincerely, that such a discussion should have ever
taken place ".

The importance of this discussion has of course receded with the years particularly
since the introduction of many of the names used in the Museum Boltenianum of
1798 into the current nomenclature, sponsored by Sherborn & Sykes (1906) and Dall
(1915), wherein the shell formerly known as Melania setosa Swainson, appears as
Thiara cancellala, clearly referred to the figure of Chemnitz (9, t. 134, figs. 1220'
1221, 1786) and here attributed to P. F. Roding as first publisher.

As already stated Cracherode specimens were seldom, if ever, referred to as such
after 1838 — one or two specimens were certainly figured by Reeve in the Conchologia
Iconica, and marked " Mus. Brit.", notably the Luiraria cyprinus already recorded,
and a juvenile specimen of Cymbium tessellata (Lamarck) figured in the monograph
of that genus (1861, sp. 106, c), and catalogued by E. W. Gray in 1801 as follows :

Crach. No. 480. Voluta Haustrum Soland. (Melo . . .) The Coronated

spotted Melon. From Japan . . . . . £5 5s. od.

This is the Voluta haustrum of the Portland Catalogue (1786, No. 3054) referred to a figure in
Martini & Chemnitz (1777, fig. 781) and said to come from China. Lamarck quotes the same
figure in his original description, also that of Lister (t. 797, fig. 4), of which the original is still
in the British Museum. Maxwell Smith (1942, p. 47) records the species from the Indian Ocean
and China.

5. LIST OF CRACHERODE SPECIMENS
ORIGINALLY IN THE CALONNE COLLECTION

The Calonne collection has of necessity been referred to several times in the preced-
ing pages, and was also briefly mentioned in connexion with the Banks collection
(Wilkins, 1955, p. 77). As the Cracherode shells included a number of specimens
described in the Museum Calonnianum in 1797 (purchased by George Humphrey
at the sale and resold to Cracherode) it seems appropriate to include a list of these
with some further notes on its famous contemporary, particularly as a study of the
manuscript catalogues revealed a number of Calonne specimens hitherto unknown to
exist in the British Museum collections. Jackson (1937, p. 333) records a few
Calonne specimens in the Manchester Museum, bearing Humphrey's labels, and once
the property of William Swainson (purchased by his father in 1815), but beyond these,
and one or two shells from the Broderip {Ex. Tankerville) collection, little was known
of the whereabouts of the Calonne shells distributed by public auction in 1797. A
very full description of the Calonne catalogue, or " Specification " as the anonymous
author called it, was given by Iredale in 1937, (pp. 408-19) . This included an exhaus-

HIST. I, 4. II

170 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

tive list of all the authors who had partially or fully adopted the many new specific
and generic names found therein, even suggesting, in direct opposition to Dall and
other experts, that some further action should be taken to rescind Opinion 51 of the
International Commission (1912). This completely rejected the use of the Museum
Calonnianum as a basis for any nomenclatorial work. Nevertheless, as explained
by Iredale, the printed Calonne catalogues were fairly widely circulated, so that many
of the names have come to be accepted in the works of later British and continental
authors.

The main interest here, however, is with actual Calonne specimens which can be
linked with those in the Cracherode collection. The descriptions given in E. W.
Gray's manuscript catalogue of 1801 (copied from Cracherode's personal catalogue
and Humphrey's labels) agree with the Calonne entries in most respects, showing
that Humphrey used these entries as a basis for labels supplied with Calonne
specimens sold by him after 1797. Sixteen Calonne shells have so far been recognized
and are listed below, preceded as usual by the modern name in bold face type,
followed by the Cracherode and Calonne catalogue entries under their respective
numbers. One or two of these may have appeared in previous lists, but are
repeated here for easy comparison.

1. Murex (Pteronotus) pinnatus Swainson

Crach. No. 320. Murex (Triplex pinnatum) Finned triple ridged Triplex.

From Java . . . . . . £3 3s. od.

Calonne No. 741. Triplex Pinnatum — La Coquille a Nageoire — Finned — Java — Murex
tripterus Born. Extremely scarce.

It is of interest to note that Triplex was one of the genera used by George Perry in the Concho-
logy of 181 1, and marked as " now first invented and adopted by the Author of this work " —
even the Linnean genus Patella was marked in the same way ! The M. tripterus Born does not
apply to this species, which was first described by Swainson in 1822 (p. 17), but is frequently
attributed to Wood (1828).

2. Murex (Alipurpura) acanthopterus Lamarck PI. 26, fig. 15c.

Crach. No. 321. Murex (Triplex pungitium) The Stickleback Triplex . . ^3 3s. od.

Calonne No. 742. Triplex Pungitium — Les Piquants — Stickleback — very rare.

While it is undesirable to quote hitherto unknown names for established species, it would be
useless to conceal those that appear under a printed catalogue number, which can be checked
and recognized, so that now and again exceptions are made for the sake of historical sequence,
bearing in mind that Calonne names are not available unless validated by a later author.
Dillwyn printed a number of Calonne names in his synonymies, but he does not seem to have
recognized Humphrey's M. pungitium.

3. Echinochama arcinella (Linne) PI. 26, fig. 156.

Crach. No. 39. Chama arcinella Linn. (Gryphus spinosus), Thorny Heart

Gryphus. From Martinique . . . . . £3 3s. od.

Calonne No. 1020a. Lacinia spinosus var. a. White outside, yellow within — Le Coeur
Epineaux — Thorny Heart — Martinique — Chama arcinella Linn.

In the Museum copy of the Calonne catalogue the genus Lacinia (p. 53) is altered by the author
(Humphrey) to Gryphus, under which name the specimen was sold to Cracherode, the Linnean

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 171

name being given preference by E. W. Gray. Sherborn (1902, p. 440) quotes " ' Gryphus.
Humph. 1797 ' Scudd. I cannot find this word ", from which it appears Scudder was using an
altered copy and Sherborn an unaltered one, for he later records " Lacinia G. Humphreys,
Mus. Calonne 1797 " without comment (p. 509). Two of these altered copies of the Calonne
catalogue are known ; one in the British Museum (Nat. History) mentioned above (once the
property of J. E. Gray, with his MSS. notes), and another in the Manchester Museum, recorded
by Jackson (1937, p. 337), in which the alterations noted by him coincide almost exactly with
those in the former. A third, privately-owned copy, is completely free from alterations.

" Gryphus Humph. MSS. 1797 " and " Licinia. Humphrey 1797 " were both mentioned as
synonyms of Chama and Arcinella by Gray in 1847 (Nos. 657, 658), but with a characteristic
error in the spelling of Lacinia, and to make matters worse, these two numbers were referred to
Licina (Cyclophorus) , in the index.

4. Pseudochama radians (Lamarck)

Crach. No. 41. Chama . . . (Lacinia contraria) Contrary furbelowed Shell.

The beak winds to the left. From Martinique . . £1 is. od.

Calonne No. 1016. Lacinia contraria — La Contraire — Contrary — The beak of this species
winds to the left contrary to the rest.

In his Conchological Observations (1824, p. 222) J. E. Gray refers to reversal among the attached
and inequivalved shells, noting that Lamarck divided his Chamae into " those which have the
beaks turned to the right, and those which have them turned to the left ; when the fact is
that they are only attached by the right or left valve ".

There are several species of these apparently sinistral or " mirror images " among the
Chamidae, the anatomy and prodissoconchs varying sufficiently for the creation of a separate
genus Pseudochama by Odhner in 1917 (p. 28). Tucker Abbott (1954. P- 393) refers to
P. radians as the Atlantic Left-handed Jewel Box, which occurs from Southern Florida to
the West Indies, the only species to be found in Eastern America. Pseudochama exogyra
Conrad and P. echinata Broderip are Pacific species which also have the beaks turning the
opposite way to the true Chamas.

5. Labiosa lineata Say Pi 25, fig. 9.

Crach. No. 59. Mactra Cyprini. Carp's Mouth Mactra. From Peru ?

Unique ^4 4s. od.

Calonne No. 838. Tellina Cyprini — La Gueule de Carpe — Carp's Mouth — Extremely
scarce. The country is unknown. Perhaps Peru.

This species has already been fully dealt with, but it may be noted that with the passing of
the years the vernacular name has changed to the Smooth Duck Clam, its congener L. plicatella
Lamarck being known as the Channeled Duck Clam, thus distinguishing them from the heavier
Spisulas or Surf Clams of the Eastern Coast of America.

6. Mytilus chorus Molina

Crach. No. 71. Mytilus Peruvianus. The Peruvian Muscle. From Aca-

pulca. Uncoated and polished . . . . £5 5s. od.

Calonne No. 786. Mytilus Peruvianus — La Peruvienne — Peruvian — Peru. Extremely

scarce.

This fine large species has always been popular in collections, particularly when polished, the

Cracherode shell being of a fine lustrous purple and still in excellent condition. The shells were

largely used by the early natives of South America for domestic purposes, the edges frequently

being sharpened for use as very efficient razors. A medium-sized specimen so sharpened is in

i 7 2 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

the Sloane collection, brought from the Straits of Magellan in the early part of the seventeenth
century. M. chorus was recorded by d'Orbigny from Chili and Peru (1847, 5, p. 648).

7. Crenatula folium Gray PI. 24, fig. 7.

Crach. No. 93. Ostrea . . . (Vulsella folium) White Leaf elegantly
marked Vulsella, faintly rayed with violet. From . . .
Unique . . . . . . . . £8 8s. od.

Calonne No. 821. Vulsella Folium. La Feuille d'Arbre Blanche — White Leaf — The
country of this very singular and delicate species is not known. Its
form and texture is extremely curious, and it is the only one we know of.

For a full description of this specimen see p. 161 above.

8. Pedum spondyloideum (Gmelin)

Crach. No. 94. Ostrea Ligo. The Spade or Hoe Oyster. From . . .

Unique ......... ^10 10s. od.

Calonne No. 998. Ligo — La Houlette — Spade, or Hoe — This is the only individual of this
very singular species that we recollect to have seen. It seems to consti-
tute a link between the Ostreae and Spondyli, or is perhaps a new
Genus, of which species 997 may be considered as another kind. Its
native country is unknown.

It is not surprising that this shell was considered such a rarity in the old days, living as it
does immured in blocks of madrepore, fixed by a strong byssus, with only the tips of the valves
showing above the surface. The first good figure and description was published by Chemnitz
in 1785 (8, figs. 669-70), with the name Ostrea spondyloidaea. Humphrey, who frequently
referred to Chemnitz in the Portland Catalogue in 1786, ignored or was not yet aware of the
name finally established by Gmelin in 1791 (p. 3335, 109), based on the figures of Chemnitz.
However, Humphrey was not far wrong in his suggestion of a connecting link between Ostrea
(which then included Pecten) and Spondylus. Pedum was placed between Semipecten and
Spondylus by Thiele (1935, P- 809), the shells of the former — although thinner — greatly
resembling the orbicular juvenile stage of Pedum.

The finest figures of the species (in situ in a coral block) were given by Quoy & Gaimard
(1835, pi. 76, figs. 15-21). Mature and juvenile shells were included, together with several
anatomical figures showing details of the ocelli or " eyes ", so characteristic a feature of the
mantle edges of Pecten and Spondylus.

9. Solenotellina violacea (Lamarck)

Crach. No. 186. Solen violaceus Soland. (Trulla violacea) Violet Solen.

From Tranquebar . . . . . . £3 3s. od.

Calonne No. 807. Solen violaceus — Le Baquet — Violet Tray — Tranquebar — Solen vio-
laceus Soland.

The name violaceus can be traced further back to the Portland Catalogue of 1786, where it
it appears on p. 161, No. 3514 : " A very fine Solen violaceus, S, from China — extremely scarce ",
and it is evident that the name was adopted by Lamarck from this or the Calonne catalogue.
Humphrey may have obtained his specimens from Tranquebar, but the Portland locality seems
more likely, for the species is synonymous with the Soletellina adamsi Reeve, named in MSS.
by Deshayes in the Cuming collection, from specimens collected on the Island of Negros in the
Sulu Sea. The Cracherode specimen has had the yellowish-green periostracum removed to show
the fine violet colouring, but in all other respects it exactly matches Reeve's figure and type
sp»ecimen.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 173

10. Spondylus americanus Hermann

Crach. No. 190. Spondylus armatus. Large scarlet and white armed Spondy-
lus or hinged Oyster, with long palmated spines. From
St. Domingo . . . . . . . . £4 4s. od.

Calonne No. 1021. Spondylus — Huitre a Charniere — Hinged Oyster. Armatus var. K.
White and scarlet, the spines long and palmated. L'Arme — Armed
— St. Dommgo-Spondylus Gaedaropus var. Linn. &> Solander.

The Cracherode Spondylus have always proved a great attraction since they were first
exhibited in the early i8oo's, but it is only recently that they have been recognized as original
Calonne specimens, described in some detail by Humphrey in the Museum Calonnianum
(pp. 54-55). There were in all twenty-six varieties of his S. armatus, each listed under a letter
of the alphabet, the four specimens purchased by Cracherode being varieties b, k, v & x. The
prices ranged from three to five guineas each, which may not seem so exorbitant, even allowing
for changing values, when it is learnt that shells of Spondylus americanus in as fine condition as
the Cracherode specimen are still considered very rare, and may cost as much as fifty dollars
in the American market to-day (Abbott, 1955, p. 56).

There is no need to repeat the catalogue entries relating to the three remaining specimens,
entered consecutively by E. W. Gray in 1801 (Nos. 191-3) but 193 is the particularly attractive
group of four juveniles of varying colours still on exhibition. The locality given for these
Calonne shells, St. Domingo, is of interest, for it shows them to be contemporary with those
examined by Hermann when first describing the species in 1781. There is no doubt they were
in some other great continental collection before being purchased by the Prince of Calonne and
ultimately sold in England in 1797.

For many years this well-known species had been attributed to the S. americanus of Lamarck
(1819, p. 188), but in 1898 Dall dealt very thoroughly with the recent and fossil Spondylus
occurring from Florida to Cape Hatteras, deciding that S. echinatus Martyn 1784 should replace
the later americanus Lamarck. This was accepted until 191 2, when Hedley and Pilsbury
discovered a paper in an old German periodical by Hermann 1 in which the author described
the difference between the Mediterranean and American forms of Spondylus. He gave each a
name, with a brief Latin description, based on the form of the ligament. The paper was sent to
the editor in the form of a letter, part of which, translated from the German, runs as follows :

" Honoured Friend,

Here are a few shells for the naturalist, they seemed new to me a short time ago when I
classified my collection by the system of Linn6 with the help of the best known authors.
Should some of it be already published, please put my not knowing about this down to
the dearth of literature and lack of time to read all of it.

Spondylus

The collector has good reason to distinguish the so-called spined oysters which come from
Malta, from those which come from America and are brought via St. Domingo to France,
but I do not remember seeing the differences described anywhere. Even the excellent
Herr v. Born does not mention it in his Ind. Mus. Caes. Vindob. I am quite sure that
both varieties are in the collection of Vienna. The difference between them consists of an
elongation of the lower shell posterior of the " lock ", which is said by Linn6 to be flat or
sawn off, and is completely smooth and without a groove. Whereas in the American there
is a groove in the centre, and the black cartilage, situated in the median dell seems to extend
along it.

1 Jean Hermann (1 738-1 800). French physician and professor at Strasbourg, author of Tabula
ajfinitatum animalium 1783.

174 TH E CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

I should therefore call the first

Spondylus (mediterraneus) valva inferiore pone cardinem abrasa integra

and the other

Spondylus (americanus) valva inferiore pone cardinem abrasa sulco cartilaginiferor
exarata."

Since Herman referred to Linne in his paper it seems odd that he did not use S. gaedaropus
for the Mediterranean form, but nevertheless, in separating the Eastern and Western forms he
was well in advance of many later authors, notably Dillwyn (1817, pp. 209-10), who applied
the Linnean gaedaropus indiscriminately to all species of Spondylus irrespective of locality.
He even suggested that the distinctive 5. regius Linne was " probably nothing more than one
of the almost endless varieties of S. gaedaropus " . Actually the last-named species is far less
variable than some species of the genus, and can usually be separated even without the aid of
the closed ligamental pit mentioned by Hermann, an excellent character in distinguishing some
of the more puzzling features of certain forms of Spondylus with doubtful localities.

While admitting that Hermann was speaking rather collectively in his description of S.
americanus in 1781, there is really no doubt of the species referred to, for the port then known
as St. Domingo (now Port-au-Prince, capital of the Haytian Republic) was within reach of
localities where it still occurs, but perhaps not quite in the " grande quantite " noted by Chem-
nitz (1784, p. 79). Fulton, however, who had accepted Hermann's name in 1915 (p. 356) later
suggested that as no adequate description or reference to a figure was given, the 5. americanus
Hermann 1781 was simply a nomen nudum, and should be replaced by the next oldest name,
S. dominicensis Roding 1798, but since a name, brief description and reasonable locality were
given by Hermann his name is still favoured in current literature.

In 1856 Reeve created a number of species from the various forms of S. americanus found
in the Cuming collection, most of which were listed as synonyms of that species by Dall in 1898
(p. 760), when he maintained that with one exception (S. gussoni Costa) all forms of Spondylus
from the West Indian region were variations of one and the same species. Fulton (1937, P- 3^)
and Perry & Schwengel (1955, p. 45) allowed two species — S. americanus Hermann for the
typical unattached white and red form, with the long foliated spines, and S. ictericus Reeve
for the attached and more variably coloured, shorter spined shells so common to the West
Indies. This seems reasonable enough, for long series of shells appear to fall into two groups,
but it would perhaps be preferable to refer to Reeve's ictericus as a related form rather than a
distinct species, particularly as clusters of shells may be composed of individual examples of
this and other so-called species, all living within the compass of a few inches.

Florida seems to be the headquarters of the typical form of S. americanus Hermann, fine
specimens measuring five to six inches in length being recorded by Johnson (191 1, p. 11) from
ten fathoms off Rock Island, one of the Anclote Keys. Fine unattached specimens occur in
about five fathoms at Tarpon Springs, where they are brought up by the sponge fishers, frequently
covered with sponge, thus preserving the long and delicate spines from damage (Perry &
Schwengel, 1955, p. 45). It was probably from similar localities that the Calonne shells were
collected and taken to the French port of St. Domingo for shipment to Europe in the eighteenth
century.

14. Spondylus aurantius Lamarck

Crach. No. 194. Spondylus Hystrix. Porcupine Spondylus. From China.

A young one . . . . . . . £1 2s. od.

Calonne No. 1029. Spondylus Hystrix var a. White and orange, mottled with black.

15. Spondylus auriantius Lamarck

Crach. No. 195. Spondylus Hystrix var. Orange variety of Porcupine Spon-
dylus. From China . . . . . . . £6 6s. od.

Calonne No. 1029. Spondylus Hystrix var. a. White and orange mottled with black.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 175

These two specimens are typical forms of S. aurantius, a fairly common Indian Ocean species
recorded by Lamy from Mauritius, India, China, Philippines and the Seychelles (1938, p. 193).
As with other species of the genus, S. aurantius appears in the literature under names too numerous
to mention. It was frantically over-described by Reeve in the Conchologia Iconica monograph
of 1856, his S. butleri, castus and spectrum are all synonyms of S. aurantius Lamarck, the charac-
ters of two or even all three of these so-called species sometimes occurring in a single specimen,
but always there are the black or brown spots on the umbos, noted by Humphrey. Many of
Reeve's and even Chemnitz's names were given credence by Lamy in his rather disappointing
Revision of 1938, in which one might have expected some of these obvious errors of judgment to
have been rectified.

16. Spondylus gaedaropus Linne

Crach. No. 200. Spondylus gaedaropus Linn. (S. purpureus) Purple Spon-
dylus. From the Mediterranean . . . . . /i is. od.

Calonne No. 1023. Spondylus Purpureus var. c. having a foliated under-valve .5. . Le

Pourpre — Purple — Mediterranean — Spondylus Gaedaropus var. Linn.

&• Soland.

This specimen is a typical gaedaropus, rich in colour, with a touch of orange in the foliations

of the under-valve and is the first of six specimens listed by Humphrey under No. 1023, all

of which are apparently the same species but differing slightly in colour and formation. Six

further species are noted (Nos. 1024-1029) but most of these are evidently colour forms of S.

aurantius, except S. hystrix (No. 1029) already stated to be a typical aurantius Lamarck.

6. CONCLUSION

The above entry concludes the detailed lists of Cracherode specimens and also
the account of the Cracherode collection as a whole. This has been shown to be of
greater importance than formerly realized, and to include specimens still extant from
the very early days when the British Museum, if not exactly in its infancy, had yet
to become one of the greatest institutions of its kind in the world. From a study of
the collection it has also been possible to trace in some measure the rapid growth and
development of a serious interest in the mollusca in this country from the end of
the eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century, a period during
which Conchology and Malacology came to be recognized as important sciences,
rather than pastimes for the mere dilettante.

Cracherode certainly looked on his shell collection simply as a series of attractive
objects acquired for his own enjoyment, but having a true " nobility of mind " he
made sure that his carefully selected treasures would be available for the use and
enjoyment of others, a gesture that has been fully justified. The Cracherode shells
have formed an integral part of the exhibited and study collections for over 150
years, and have provided material and given inspiration to many early workers and
collectors.

7. A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF C. M. CRACHERODE M.A., F.R.S., 1730-1799

Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode was born at Taplow, Buckinghamshire, on the 23rd
June 1730, the only son of Colonel Mordaunt Cracherode who had command of the
Marines on Anson's voyage round the world. His mother was Mary, daughter of
Thomas Morice, paymaster to the British forces in Portugal, but contrary to these

176 THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION

strong military connexions, it was the father's wish that his son Clayton should
make the Church his profession. He entered Westminster School in 1742, and went
on to Christ Church Oxford in 1746, taking his B.A. in 1750 and M.A. 1753, later
holding the Curacy of Binsey, near Oxford, but " neither sought nor obtained
preferment ".

On the death of his father in 1773, Clayton Cracherode inherited an ample fortune,
said to be several hundreds a year in landed property, and nearly one hundred
thousand pounds invested in the " sweet simplicity of three per cents ". (Edwards,
1870, p. 419.) He also became the owner of the Manor of Great Wymondley, held
from the Crown subject to the service of presenting to the King the first cup from
which he drinks at his coronation. The apprehension of being called upon to perform
such service caused no little uneasiness to the new owner, who is said never to have
visited his Hertfordshire estate, and at no time travelled further than to the Uni-
versity of Oxford.

Cracherode was a man of extremely regular habits, and was accustomed for
forty-one years of his life to go every day from his home in Queen's Square,
Westminster, first to Elmsly's the booksellers in the Strand, and then to Tom
Payne's by the Mews-gate, a literary coffee house where he would meet and talk
to friends with similar tastes to his own. Though Cracherode was heard often to
complain of the high prices asked for books and prints his purchases continued
unabated until his death in 1799, when his library contained no less than 4,500
volumes, all remarkable for their rareness or excellence of impression, together with
many portfolios of exquisite prints and drawings which included the finest examples
of Rembrandt and Diirer.

Coins, medals, gems and minerals " worthy of an imperial cabinet " also formed
a part of the collection which it was the principal aim of his life to amass. Modesty
seems to have been the keynote of Cracherode's " noiseless " career, for he was wont
to refer to his great possessions as mere " specimen collections ", and yet his bequest
of them to the British Museum eclipsed most of the earlier gifts made after 1753.
Although he " carefully avoided the bustle and grandeur of public life " Cracherode
enjoyed the company and conversation of a small circle of friends, some of whom
" were not less enobled by their talents and their virtues, than by their exalted rank
and well-supported dignities ". To these, who included his two greatest friends —
Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham, and Cyril Jackson, Dean of Christ Church —
his house was always open when they wished to consult his books, prints, coins
and medals.

Mr. Cracherode was elected a Trustee of the British Museum in 1784, and a Fellow
of the Royal Society in the following year. His conscientious nature is exemplified
in a small manuscript notebook (B.M. Add. 4761 1), in which he recorded some of
the happenings at the Trustees' meetings, at which he appears to have been a constant
attendant. It covers the period 1784 to 1796 and is devoted largely to carefully
written lists of his fellow Trustees, and the all too frequent changes brought about
by death. Staff changes were also recorded, together with outstanding acquisitions,
principally books and antiquities, although there is one note of a collection of
shells, insects, etc. made by Lord Charles Cavendish, presented in 1784.

THE CRACHERODE SHELL COLLECTION 177

Unlike many private notebooks of the period, this one is rather disappointingly
free from any personal opinions, being just a plain and straightforward record of
attendances and business transacted, but even so it contains many interesting notes
relating to the early history of the Museum while in Montague House.

Although so fond of books, Cracherode's own literary efforts were confined to a
single set of Latin verses printed in the Carmina Quadragesimalia, composed by
students of his house at Oxford in 1748, a fact not overlooked by contemporary
lampooners, to whom his collecting propensities and love of fine volumes were well
known, through his frequent visits to the literary coffee house at the Mews-gate,
where many of their best shafts were prepared. The following lines by Mathias
were quoted from the Pursuits of Literature (1794), in the Gentleman's Magazine for
April 1799, and again by Edwards (1870, p. 421), but in the later version Doctor
Dibdin replaces the " Doctor Dewlap " of the original :

" Or must I, as a wit, with learned air,

Like Doctor Dewlap, to Tom Payne's repair,

Meet Cyril Jackson and mild Cracherode there?

' Hold! ' cries Tom Payne, ' that margin let me measure,

and rate the separate value of the treasure '

Eager they gaze. Well, Sirs, the feat is done

Cracherode's Poetae Principes have won! "

It is recorded in the same issue of the Gentleman's Magazine that the " mild
Cracherode " paid his last visit to the parlour of the old bookshop on the Monday
before his death " in a manner that could not escape the observation of its owner,
to whom, as to his father, he had been so liberal a custo