HELIX. 149 



foration, which the narrow, reflected lip Is .sufficiently 

 wide to cover. 



The hairy projections of the epidermis are most distinct 

 upon the young shells, but are often wanting at every 

 stage of growth. The obhque striae are so fine as hardly 

 to be visible ; and m some instances the shell appears to 

 be glabrous. Very beautiful specimens, about one-fourth 

 of an inch in diameter, with a dark, shining epidermis 

 and open umbilicus, occur in Ohio. They are more con- 

 vex, and, as the same number of volutions is contained in 

 half the space, they appear to have more whorls than the 

 common variety. Some persons have considered these 

 to form a distinct species (5". leaii, Ward, Mss.) ; but I 

 do not see that they can, with propriety, be separated. 



In the Western States, this species is generally found 

 in the forests. In New Hampshire and Vermont, it is 

 also found in forests with other species, but more com- 

 monly m hill-side pastures, under flat stones, a situation 

 where other species rarely occur. Two individuals are 

 commonly foimd together. 



I was formerly induced to believe that the two princi- 

 pal varieties of this species were specifically distract ; but 

 a careful investigation of a great number of specimens 

 has convinced me that there are no definite hmits to 

 either of them, but that both are by imperceptible grada- 

 tions blended together. 



The first published description of this species appeared 

 in 1821, under the name of Helix monodon; in 1824, 

 Mr. Say published his description, and proposed the spe- 



38 



