( 1^3 ) 



tube with the earth, continued ahve; the next day more of the fame 

 kind of Snails came out of the eggs, and the tliird day many more. 



I often contemplated one of thcfe Snails, while adhering to the in- 

 fide of the glafs tube, and, with great pleafure, I faw through its fliell 

 (which was fo pellucid as to tranfmit the light) a part of its body not 

 larger than a grain of fand, and of an oval fliape, which alternately 

 was contracted and extended, each alternate motion being performed 

 in tlie fame fpace of time as is required to pronounce diftindlly a word 

 of four fyllables. This httle point or corpufcle, I deemed to be the 

 creature's lungs, and the reciprocating motion, that of refpiration. 



I have formerly often difledted thefe kind of Snails found on Vines, 

 chufnig for that purpofe the largeft I could find, in order, if pofTible, 

 to difcover the manner of their generation, and whether any young 

 ones were to be found in them, but hitherto without any fuccefs ; and 

 now, almoft by accident, and with little trouble, I plainly perceived 

 that thefe creatures were propagated by laying eggs. 



It has frequently been matter of great wonder to me, to obferve 

 in the fpring, young Snails of this fpecies on the Vine branches, when 

 I could not conceive, how they could have been bred and brought 

 forth fo early in the feafon. But, fince it now appears, that they are 

 produced from eggs, the difficulty ceafes, becaufe we can eafily con- 

 ceive how thefe animals may be hid in the earth all the winter in 

 the egg, and break out from thence, as foon as the firft warmth of 

 the fpring returns. 



I have likewife often obferved full grown Snails of this fpecies, 

 whofe {hells were covered with earth or clay, as if they had been 

 newly dug out of the ground, and never could fatisfy myfelf as to the 

 caufe ; but this is alfo now accounted for, becaufe, as they muft 

 creep into the earth to depofit their eggs, it is natural to fuppofe that 

 fome portions of earth or clay may be left flicking to their Ihells or 

 horns. And, if any perfon fhould wonder how thefe creatures can 



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