No. 29. HELIX. 



Snail. Inhabitant a Slug. 



Shell univalve, spiral, subdiaphanous and brittle, aperture contracted, semi- 

 lunar, or roundish. 



For the new division of Helices, by late writers, see Latrielle Olivica, &c 



The numerous species which compose this extensive genus, are principally 

 land or fresh-water shells; a very few only being the produce of the ocean. 

 They are generally of a delicate and brittle structure, and sometimes trans- 

 parent. 



Of the land species, almost every place produces some one or other of the 

 kinds. They are found on trees, walls, mossy banks, under stones, &c. &c. 

 Of the aquatic species, some are found on the sea shores, on the banks or 

 margins of rivers, brooks and ponds, but mostly in shallow waters. They 

 are very brittle, and exceedingly susceptible of injury. Some of the kinds 

 are used as food. The species are very numerous: nearly seventy are found 

 in Great Britain. 



The all-wise Creator has denied to these animals the use of feet and claws, 

 to enable them to move from place to place; but has made them ample 

 amends, in a way more commodious to their habits and mode of life, by the 

 broad skin along each side of the belly, and the power of motion which this 

 possesses. By this they are enabled to creap; and by the skin, assisted by 

 the glutinous slime emitted from their bodies, they adhere firmly and securely 

 even to the smoothest surfaces. When the snail is in motion, four horns are 

 distinctly seen on its head; but the two uppermost, and longest of these, de- 

 serves particular attention, both on account of the various motions with which 

 they are endued, and also from their having eyes at the extremities. These 

 eyes appear like two blackish points, and, when taken from the body, are of a 

 bulbous figure; they have but one coat, and the vitreous, the aqueous, and the 

 crystalline humors arc (though not distinctly) to be seen. The animal is able 

 to direct them towards different objects at pleasure, by a regular motion out 

 of the body; and sometimes it hides them, by a very swift contraction into 

 the belly. Under the smaller horns is the animal's mouth, and though its sub- 



