18 RAMBLES IN SEARCH OF SHELLS. 



Zonites, which is nearly related to Helix, nor Physa, 

 which is close to Limncea, and have passed over 

 many other genera, which, though allied to others 

 ahove mentioned, might, if named, confuse perhaps 

 rather than instruct. 



We shall ask the reader, later, to accompany us in 

 spirit in a ramble in search of shells over the London 

 clay; and in a succeeding chapter over the chalky 

 downs and through the moist beech woods of Sussex 

 — ground most fertile to the conchologist. We shall 

 then search for the prettily spotted Nerltina Jluvia- 

 tilis, the delicately coloured Cyclostoma elegans, the 

 edible snail {H. pomatia) and the freshwater limpets 

 (Ancylus), which, with many other species, reward 

 with unspeakable pleasure the collector who finds 

 them for the first time. 



The mention of limpets reminds us of that beauti- 

 ful little bird the Dipper or Water-ouzel, which feeds 

 largely on these and other freshwater molluscs ; and 

 we may here remark that, as a variety of small shells 

 may be found in the stomachs of many species of 

 birds, the ornithologist who cares to take up con- 

 chology may thereby add much to the knowledge 

 which he already possesses on his favourite subject. 



