HELIX. 



155 



The aspect of the base of this shell somewhat resem- 

 bles that of Helix hirsuta, Say ; but its superior size and 

 carinated edges at once prevent its being considered the 

 same. Moreover, instead of the fissure at the inner 

 margin of the outer lip, we have only a slight flexure or 

 emargination. It is, indeed, among the most distinctly 

 marked of our species, and cannot be mistaken for any 

 other. 



HELIX EDGARIANA. [There is a small variety of this 

 species, having about half the usual diameter, and having 

 its faces much more convex, which Mr. Lea has de- 

 scribed under the name of Carocolla Edgariana. Mr. 

 Lea says its aperture has the form of H. hirsuta, except 

 that the superior and thick part of the lip joins the tooth 

 of the columella. We a"re not yet prepared to admit this 

 as a distinct species, though farther researches may 

 prove it to be so. The junction of the lip with the colu- 

 mellar tooth seems to have been accidental in Mr. Lea's 

 specimens ; at least, we have several specimens, corres- 

 ponding to his in other respects, where this character is 

 wanting. Moreover, there ^ a large, carinated variety 

 of H. hirsuta, from the same locality, which so far as 

 the aperture is concerned, corresponds still better with 

 Mr. Lea's description. His other character, by which 

 he distinguishes H. edgariana from H. spinosa, its being 

 without cilia, is not constant ; for fresh specimens of 

 both large and small are well garnished with hairs, quite 



