HELICID^. — SNAIL. 237 



of Atherfield and Brixton consider snails the best bait 

 for prawns, and horseflesh next ; and in the l Art of 

 Angling ' the " white snail," and likewise the u black 

 one " (slug ?) slit open that the white may appear, are 

 recommended as good bait for the chub early in the 

 morning, and likewise good night bait for the trout 

 and eel.* 



The Rev. S. Baring G-ould, in f Queer Culprits/ gives 

 an account of the laws of Mediaeval Europe, respecting 

 the protection of persons, or things, from injuries by 

 animals, insects, and snails etc. — He says, according 

 to Jewish law, " If an ox gore a man or a woman that 

 they die, then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his 

 flesh shall not be eaten ; but the owner of the ox shall 

 be quit." After giving this command Moses proceeds 

 to enforce the doctrine of the responsibility of the 

 beast's owner and to ensure his punishment should he 

 wittingly let a dangerous animal run loose, also to 

 make provision for his security under some extenuating 

 circumstances. These commands were carried into the 

 laws of Mediaeval Europe ; the priests at the same time 

 introducing refinements of their own, and enforcing 

 them in numerous cases, which afford matter for curious 

 inquiry, and are full of technicalities and peculiarities 

 at once amusing and instructive, as throwing light on 

 the customs and habits of thought in those times. If a 

 child was injured by a sow, or a man killed by a bull, 

 the trial was conducted in precisely the same manner as 

 though sow or bull were morally criminal. They were 

 apprehended, placed before the ordinary tribunal, and 

 given over to execution. If an inroad of locusts or snails 

 takes place common law is helpless, it may pronounce 



* ■ Tbo Art of Angling : Rock and Sea-fishing,' &c, by R. Brookes. 



