12 LAND AND FRESH-WATER SHELLS OF N. A. [PART I. 



The slugs, and some species of snails were considered by the 

 Romans to possess medicinal properties, and this belief con- 

 tinued, among the nations of Europe, through the middle ages 

 down to comparatively recent times. There is hardly a disease, 

 internal or external, of man or the domestic animals, in which, 

 according to the statements of authors, they have not proved 

 beneficial ; and the relations concerning them are numerous and 

 truly marvellous. The testaceous rudiment of the Limax ac- 

 quired in this respect a pre-eminence above the animal itself, and 

 enjoyed a high rank among the numerous bezoars and amulets 

 which were supposed to protect the body from evil influences, 

 and to impart health and activity to its various functions.^ The 

 accounts of their virtues, copied from one author to another, on 

 the authority of names, show how easily error is perpetuated, 

 and how difficult it is to eradicate from the public mind a false 

 opinion which has once obtained a footing. A full relation of all 

 the absurdities which gained credence, would form a curious page 

 in the history of credulity and superstition. The more general 

 diffusion of knowledge at the present day has dispelled these 

 ideas in a great degree -, but some relics of them still linger 

 among the rural population of many parts of Europe. In this 

 country, no such belief has ever prevailed ; and so hidden and 

 clandestine are the habits of the animals, that but a small part 

 of the population is aware of their existence, and those who are 

 familiar with them view them with such feelings of disgust as 

 would effectually prevent their use either as medicine or as food. 

 They have also from very early times been used in the prepara- 

 tion of cosmetics ; and the water procured from them by distilla- 

 tion, no longer than two or three centuries ago, was much 

 celebrated and used by ladies, to impart whiteness and freshness 

 to the complexion. 



' As late as the close of the sixteenth century. Helling published a 

 dissertation with this title : " Ossiculorum limncum usus m fehribus.'" Daring 

 the year 1863, a syrup of snails was prescribed to members of my family 

 by two regular French physicians in Paris. 



