62 Observations on various Insects 



bands : the lip is ochreous, the margin reflexed ; the underside is 

 smooth and white, with a pinkish tint. The inhabitant of the 

 shell at this period, is two or three inches long, when at full 

 stretch : it is scored or wrinkled, like the lengthened meshes of a 

 net, whitish, with the back and head of a pale inky or slate 

 colour; the four horns are retractile, the superior pair being the 

 longest, slightly tapering, Avith a globular knob at the extremity 

 containing a black dot, which is probably the eye, and, if one of 

 these sensitive horns be touched, it is instantly withdrawn and 

 shortened : the two inferior horns are much smaller, and below 

 these is placed the mouth. 



Drought and cold are inimical to snails ; they, therefore, are 

 only in full activity in damp situations, and after showers in mild 

 weather, when they come out to feed, giving the preference to the 

 night. On the approach of winter they hide themselves and 

 adhere closely to stones, palings, &c., and even to one another, by 

 means of a slimy secretion with which they close the orifice of 

 the shell : thus hermetically sealed, the air is entirely excluded. 

 They there remain secure and dormant, and can thus retain their 

 vitality for incredibly long periods, even for fourteen or fifteen 

 years. 



i'wo smaller snails, named H. virqata and H. rufcscens^ are in 

 the utmost profusion on the borders of fields of every description, 

 as well as pasture lands in chalky districts. In Kent they may 

 absolutely be collected by bushels. 



A large and handsome species, H. nemoralis, is exceedingly 

 abundant in hedges, uj)land pastures, and clover-fields. Snails 

 are a favourite food of the thrush and blackbird, as is evident by 

 the number of broken shells one sees along hedgerows and banks 

 where those birds resort, especially in the spring. It is also a 

 singular fact that glowworms {^Lamj)yris jwctihica),'^ and an 

 allied genus named JDrilus Jiavescens, feed upon snails. 



Slugs. 



^ The depredations committed by snails on the crops are insig- 

 nificant compared with the ravages of slugs. There are few 

 seasons of the year when slugs are inactive, for even in mild 

 winters they are concealed in the earth and come out to feed ; but 

 it is in spring and autumn that they do the most mischief. This 

 is so well known by every farmer and gardener, that we need only 

 allude to that part of their history. 



Slugs lay their eggs in humid spots, and they hatch in three 

 or four weeks. I may mention that in pulling up some grass at 

 the end of September I found numbers of eggs at the roots, with 



* Curt. Brit. Ent., fol. and pi. C98. 



