73 



Helix aspersa (The Common Snail). Mutter. 

 Figure 47. 



Perhaps this ver^ abundant and somewhat handsonre 

 shell is as familiar as any of our British species, for it 

 is the largest of the Helix family, with the exception 

 of the very local Helix pomatia, and is moreover well 

 known as a destructive gardener. 



In form it is rather subglobose, has from four to four 

 and a half convolutions, with a blunt apex. Aperture 

 somewhat rounded. Peristome snowy-white, spread 

 out, and reflected. Olive-coloured, with in general four 

 dark-brown bands. The shell has a rough surface, and 

 although apparently strong, is nevertheless very fragile 

 and thin. 



The usual diameter is an inch and a half. 



The colour of the animal is a greyish green. 



Helix aspersa is very sensitive to cold, closing its 

 aperture in a similar manner to Helix nemoralis, on the 

 first approach of frost. When induced to wake up and 

 crawl about with the occasionally mild days of March, 

 in will again become dormant on the return of frosty 

 weather. 



