HELIX. 241 



epiphragm differs from the operculum of other mollusca 

 inasmuch as it is only temporary ; it is secreted, when re- 

 quired, for the purpose of enabling the animal to pass the 

 winter in his state of torpid security ; and when the genial 

 warmth of summer is felt, a mucus is put forth which dis- 

 solves the epiphragm at its edges, it falls off, and leaves 

 the destroyer at liberty to walk forth in quest of green food. 

 It is well known that these snails are an article of com- 

 merce for food ; that there are " snail gardens " on the Con- 

 tinent for their propagation; that they can be cooked so 

 as to become great delicacies, and are particularly recom- 

 mended as strengthening and nourishing food for persons 

 suffering under pulmonary complaints. The eggs, which 

 are buried underground, are round and transparent. 

 Helix 2^omatia has a much larger and more globose shell, 

 much less oblique, than H. aspersa. It is of a pale 

 fawn-colour, with light bands; it is wrinkled length- 

 wise, and particularly at the sutures. The shell is really 

 a good handful, and the animal a good mouthful, to 

 those who can get over the seeming unpleasantness 

 and enjoy the luxury. It is pre-eminently called " the 

 edible snail.''' 

 H, aperta has a greenish-brown shell, rather smaller than 



R 



