256 THE ESSKX FIELD CLUB. 



Stone Axe from Doddinghurst, Essex. — He also exhibited a polished 

 stone axe from Doddinghurst. which was tiguied and described by Mr. F. \V. 

 Reader in the Essex Naiuralist (ante p. 193). 



Palaeolithic Flake from Kelvedon, Essex.— Mr. W. Whitaker, P\R.S., 

 exhibited and presented to the Club a Palaeolithic " worked '' flake, found during 

 the excursion to Kelvedon on July 4th last {ante p. 249). 



Varieties of Helix Nemoralis.— Mr. J. T. Winkworth exhibited a fine 

 series of "varieties" of the '• Girdled Snail," Helix nenwralis, mostly from the 

 neighbourhood of Harlow, Essex, and made the following observations on the 

 specimens : — 



VARIATIONS OF HELIX MEMORALIS AT HARLOW, ESSEX. 



The exhibit goes to emphasize the wide and handsome variations of the mollusc. 

 All the shells exhibited, with the exception of var. olivacece were gathered 

 near Harlow, oft the bank bordering the .main road from Epping to Bi'shops 

 Stortford. 



The series consists of the following variations : — 



(Ij Yellow — la yellow, with a single central black band ; lb yellow, with 



many black bands. 

 (II) Red — Ila red, with single central red band; lib red, with many black 

 bands. 



(III) AVhitisl), with black bands varving in number. 



(IV) Whitish, with^black bands merged, forming almost a black ground. 



(V) Pinkish or flesh-coloured. 



(VI) Olive ; kno\\'n as var. olivacece, of uniform rich olive colour. 

 (VII) Single banded ; band varying in width. 



Helix 7iemoralis is remarkable for the absence of the normal number of bands^ 

 and the mollusc seems to assert its discipline of the pigmentary-glands with the 

 increase of age up to the end of the shell depositing period, so that apologetic 

 bands or beginnings of bands are in evidence near the lip while no suspicion of 

 the lines are observable in the older parts of the shell- 

 On the other hand occasionally an extra line is seen, so that the normal 

 i> 2, 3, 4, 5, becomes i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 



Many interesting facts forced themselves on one's attention while in search of 

 these shells. As a rule they were well concealed in grass or among leaves, only 

 discovering themselves freely after considerable rain. Helix hortensis on the other 

 hand can ahvays be found on leaves and stems of hedges or on stalks on grasses 

 and other vegetation. I found it necessary usually, where any were to be found,. 

 to feel over all the low lying grass. 



The yellow forms and yellow with varying bands, were common in dried 

 grass, while the red or reddish-brown forms were found among dried 

 leaves at the edges of woods. I have never yet found the yellow form among 

 brown leaves, in copses or woods, nor the red form among the dried yellowish 

 grass. I think it can be fa'rly held that the environment settled the lives of the 

 pronounced colours, varying with the prevailing colour of the spot where the creature 

 was found, so that the fittest in colour onlv survived, and tliat colour was lilcelv to 

 to be pronounced in the young more and more with every succeeding generation. 

 Strange to say, but yet not wholly contradictory to this experience, all the 

 shells exhibited came from one bank. The vegetation was quite mixed, consisting 

 of dried leaves, grass, short hedge growths, tall thistles and many umbelliferse. 

 The bank was boideiing a main road, and adjacent to a considerable village. 



