SHELLS ON THE CHALK-DOWNS. 77 



nearer the coast),* which has only one band on the 

 body whorl (PL IX., fig. 9). 



The colour of these shells, however, varies very 

 much, being occasionally plain yellowish, white, or 

 dark brown with white bands, or the dark bands are 

 streaked 'or interrupted so as to make the surface 

 appear spotted. Helix caperata differs from virgata 

 in its much smaller size, depressed spire, and 

 larger umbilicus, and especially in the numerous 

 rib-like striae which hoop round each whorl. Virgata 

 may be found as near London as Lewisham and 

 Charlton, amongst thistles, nettles, and other rank 

 herbage about chalk pits ; and around Woolwich 

 it was formerly not uncommon. It is said to feed 

 on Lady-birds (CoccmeUa) and other small insects. 

 Caperata is also found around Lewisham, and is 

 plentiful at Boxhill. The heath snail, ericetorum, 

 has been met with as near London as Charlton, 

 Banstead Downs, and the roadside between Dartford 

 Heath and Green- street Green. A bank between the 

 fifteenth and sixteenth milestones on the Sevenoaks- 

 road has also been recorded as a locality for this snail. 



* The specific name " Pisana," was given to this shell, 

 from its having been first met with at Pisa. 



