The Scottish Naturalist. 167 



stones, beside hedges and edges of fields, and upon the leaves 

 of nettles and other plants. A heap of loose stones near a bed 

 of nettles is pretty certain to yield many specimens. 



H. hispida L. — A common species, especially in the low and 

 cultivated country. I have found the "var. albida at Perth. 



H. sericea Drap. — A rare species in Scotland, where I have 

 not myself met with it. Jeffreys says " from the Moray Firth 

 southwards," and it appears in the lists of several of the south- 

 western counties, as Ayrshire and Wigtonshire. The broad 

 leaves of the butterbur (Pttasites), and beds of nettles seem 

 the favourite habitats. 



H. fusca Mont. — Is another species of some rarity. It has 

 been taken in the following counties at least : —Ross, Aberdeen, 

 Kincardine, Perth, -Lanark, Renfrew, Bute, Ayr, and Kirkcud- 

 bright. It frequents shady places " among nettles and dog- 

 mercury " (Jeffreys), " under leaves and upon brambles ' : 

 (L. Reeve), " on the leaves of Pttasites " (Haddin). I have 

 found it among coarse grass in a damp place, and on honey- 

 suckle and ivy. Like other species, it is most easily found in 

 wet weather. 



If. lamellata Jeffreys. — A most beautiful little shell, and 

 though local, not uncommon where it does occur. It is the 

 most common species of Helix in the wooded highland glens, 

 where I have found it at an elevation of 1200 feet — it probably 

 attaining greater altitude. I have met with it as far north as 

 Ross- shire and it is likely to occur throughout the highlands, and, 

 not improbably, in suitable localities throughout the lowlands 

 also. It inhabits woods, especially of birch, living among dead 

 leaves, especially the decaying-fronds of the softer ferns, such as 

 Aspidium oreopteris and the Lady fern. Jeffreys (B. C. 1. 175) 

 says, ''especially among dead holly leaves," but though I have 

 carefully searched, I have never been able to find lamellita or 

 any shell among holly leaves, even in the most likely-looking 

 places. To obtain H lamellata and some other species such as 

 aculeata and pygmoea, Carychium, &c, I fill a large bag full of 

 the decaying leaves of Aspidiwn oreopteris, or other soft ferns 

 growing in dampish places in open woods (as for example the 

 hollows on the sides of hills, narrow glens, or near the channels 

 of hill streams), scraping up from the ground below the fern, the 

 decayed fronds of the previous year. When the bag is full — 



