284 HELICID^. 



plane nearly parallel witli the axis of the shell ; lip sim- 

 ple, thickened, often slightly rufous ; umbilicus imper- 

 forate. 



Length of axis three-tenths of an inch ; diameter of 

 last whorl one-tenth. 



Geographical Distribution. Has been noticed in 

 the Northwestern Territory, near the Lake of the Woods 

 and Lake Winnipeg, in Ohio, in all the Middle States, 

 and in every State of New England. 



Remarks. This little species, which is hardly larger 

 than a grain of wheat, is certainly identical with the 

 European shell. It is distributed over a vast expanse of 

 country, and exists in immense numbers in certain favor- 

 able locahties. Its usual place of abode is under leaves 

 and the bark of decaying trees, in forests alW groves. 

 Its surface has a peculiarly brilliant reflection, which 

 excels that of any other of our shells ; and hence it has 

 been known in France as " la brillante." It is supposed 

 by some to be the H. sub-cylindrica of Linnreus : if it 

 should prove to be so, that specific name should obtain ; 

 but the description of Linnaeus leaves much room for 

 doubt. There is a slight sinuosity at the union of the 

 lip with the columella, rendering the aperture a little 

 effuse at this point, and approximating the shell to the 

 genus Achatina. This, and its other departures from 

 the typical Bulimi, have caused it, in several instances, 

 to receive a generic distinction. Dr. Leach first indi- 

 cated it as a separate genus, under the name Zua. 



