136 HELICIDyE. 



The Rev. J. McMurtrie has kindly sent me specimens 

 of a pretty white variety in which the bands are trans- 

 lucent ; it occurs at Alnmouth. 



Monstrosities with the whorls more or less separated 

 or the spire reversed occur sometimes. 



17. H. CAPERA'TA,* Montagu. Pl. VIII. 



Body ash-colour with a yellowish tinge and streaked with 

 brown, tubercles rather large, thick set, tipped with black ; 

 tentacles long, rather slender, dusky, bulbs nearly globular \foot 

 somewhat truncate in front, terminating in an obtusely pointed 

 tail ; lingual ribbon with 80 rows of 5 1 teeth = 4080. 



Shell subconical, compressed, solid, nearly opaque, very slightly 

 glossy, whitish or cream-colour, usually with a brown band which 

 encircles the body whorl immediately above the periphery and 

 the base of the upper volutions, below it there are generally from 

 two to seven narrower bands of the same colour ; the sculpture 

 consists of numerous strong, close-set, ridge-like striae in the Hne 

 of growth, which intersect the bands and impart to the surface 

 of the shell a mottled appearance ; peripliery obtusely keeled ; 

 epidermis thin ; whorls 6, gradually increasing ; spire slightly 

 produced, apex usually brown ; suture deepish ; month forming 

 about three-fourths of a circle, somewhat oblique, inside with a 

 strong white rib ; outer lip rather thin, slightly reflected near to, 

 and more so over, the umbilicus which is rather large and deep. 



Inhabits most parts of Great Britain, especially in 

 dry, sandy soils, at the roots, and on the stalks of 

 grasses and other plants, as well as under stones. 

 This, like the last species, varies considerably in size, 

 colour, and markings ; it is inactive and timid. Ac- 

 cording to Bouchard-Chantereaux it lays during the 

 months of August and September from thirty-five to 

 forty eggs of an opaque white colour ; the young are 



* Wrinkled. 



