IV. 



THE COMMON SXAIL {Helix aspersa). 



The " Common Snail ", // aspersa, and the '' Garden 

 Snail ", //. hortcnsis^ are to be found in abundance in our 

 gardens and hedgerows, and the descriptions here given 

 apply equally to either with the exception of the shell. 

 This, in the ' Garden Snail ', can be at once recognized by 

 its delicate texture and predominant whitish-yellow colour, 

 as compared with the rough-surfaced brown -banded shell of 

 its ally. During the summer months the 'Common Snail' 

 is to be met with, leading an active independent existence 

 upon or in the immediate neighbourhood of fruit-bearing 

 shrubs. It is very susceptible to cold, and retires during 

 the later autumn to some recess in a wall or tree, where it 

 usually remains dormant and hibernating until the following 

 spring. It not unfrequently buries itself for the same pur- 

 pose, and even in the warm season may be induced to 

 hibernate tem}:)orarily if starved or submitted to a reduced 

 temperature. During such a period, or during normal hi- 

 bernation, the body is completely retracted within the shell, 

 the mouth of the latter being sealed by a film of mucus 

 secreted by the animal, which hardens on exposure to the 

 atmosphere ; this is perforated to allow of the passage of 

 air during respiration and is best termed for obvious reasons 

 the hybcrtiaculum. During the hibernating period the animals 

 are frequently to be encountered huddled together in as- 



