natural, history

Remarks. A slightly variable species, showing a little range in color patterv,though quite consistent as to general outline and other shell characters. Fig. 23 inthe Man. 0' Conch. exhibits a wider umbilical region than exists in any materialexamined by me.In this species the upper half of each whorl is strongly striated, the striationsterminating abruptly at the peripheral region. The lower half of the body whorl isshining and nearly smooth, roughened only by very fine irregular growth lines. Atthe peripheral area and a little above, there are many fine incised oblique lines thatcross the axial striations.I fail to see differences enough to warrant the retention of O. oldroydae Vanattaas a valid species. It falls well within the normal range of variation as exhibited byany large series of this species. BRAZIER (1872, p. 805) placed R. boydi Angas in thesynonymy of O. vii/andrei, as boydi was described prior to the knowledge that villandreiwas a Solomon Island form. CROSSE (1871, p. 174) also placed R. boydi in the synonymyof O. vii/andrei. A sinistral specimen is mentioned by GUDE (1907, p. 235).Greater diameter Lesser diameter Height27 mm 24 mm 12 mm25.5 - 22.5 - II•26.5 - 23 1225.5 - 23 11.5 -24.5 -- 22 II24 21.5 - IISeries from mountains of S~n Cristobal.This species is distributed apparently throughout the Solomon group. However,the records known are still only for the extreme islands in this archipelago. Bougainvilleand Choiseul on the northwest and San Cristobal on the southeast. It is quitepossible that this form is highly localized as to its ecological station and it has notbeen found on the intervening islands because of lack of collecting in suitable areas.BRAZIER (1872, p. 805) states that missionaries obtained this species in the Solomonsbut specimens were sent to GASSIES by these missionaries after they had reached NewCaledonia, causing the error in the assignment of the type locality.Specimens examined. Bougainville. Kieta. Choiseul: Fahro; Luti. SanCristobal: Kiva Kiva; along Kavo River; Wainoni Bay. Santa Ana.Notes. On the ground in forests and plantations at 1800 feet in the mountains ofSan•Cristobal (EYER DAM).• 201