22 HYGROMIA HISPIDA. 
hortensis; to share with H. hortensis, H. striolata, and H. granulata 
the marginal portions of ash and hazel copses ; and may even live upon 
wet rocks on the sea shore, close by high water mark. 
It is an almost amphibious species, and resists prolonged immersion, 
Mr. E. J. Lowe recording that he retained five specimens under water for 
a fortnight, and only one of the animals succumbed; and Rev. Revett 
Sheppard states that he frequently found this species some feet below 
the surface of the water on stakes and piles upon which it ascends and 
descends at pleasure. 
It is a hardy species, one of the very last to retire in winter, and one of 
the first to reappear in spring, frequently also breaking its hibernation, and 
wandering about during the milder days in the depth of winter. It is only 
during severe cold that it burrows in the ground; ordinarily it is content 
to ensconce among vegetable refuse or within suitable sheltered crevices. 
The heart of a Kilmanock specimen, collected by Major Barrett- 
Hamilton, was observed to contract 24 times per minute at a temperature 
of 54° Fahr. in April. The average pulse rate of the species may vary 
from 10 to 15 pulsations per minute in the average temperature of our 
winter months and reach 70 or 80 in the hot harvest days of August. 
Parasites and Enemies. — This species is especially utilised by 
sparrows as food for their young, and also probably for their own susten- 
ance; and landrails have been found with their crops full of the shells 
of the species. It is also preyed upon by thrushes, their shells being often 
found at thrush-stones. 
Geological Distribution.—Though the present species is, according 
to Dr. Fischer, known from deposits of the Miocene period in France and 
Belgium, yet in this country it has not been discovered below strata of 
Pliocene age, and has been described as the commonest Helicoid of our 
Pliocene and Pleistocene deposits, as well as those of Holocene age. 
MIO0cENE.—In France, it is recorded by the Abbé Dupuy from the deposits of 
Sansan, department of Gers. 
In Belgium, it is reported by Messrs. Cornet and Rutot from deposits at Mesvin 
and Mons, Hainault, and by M. Vincent from Veeweyde near Duysburg. 
PLIOCENE.—Mr. F. W. Harmer, the most recent authority, cites it as found in 
the Butleyan or Red Crag, Butley, Suffolk. 
In the Icenian Crag it is known from the Norwich zone at Bramerton, Thorpe, 
Horstead, and Coltishall, Norfolk ; as well as at Dunwich, Bulchamp, and the Old 
Crag Pit at Yarn Hill, Wrentham, near Southwold, Suffolk. 
In the Weybourne zone it is cited for East Runton, North Walsham, and from 
the freshwater bed at West Runton, Norfolk. 
PLEISTOCENE.—In Wiltshire, it is recorded by Dr. Blackmore from the gravels 
of Milford Hill and the loess of Fisherton-Anger, near Salisbury. 
In Sussex, it is recorded from Selsey by Mr. Alfred Bell ; and from West Witter- 
ing by Mr. J. P. Johnson. 
In Kent, it is recorded by Prof. Morris from the freshwater Pleistocene deposits 
of Charing and Maidstone; by Dr. Sandberger from Crayford; by Rev. R. A. Bullen 
from a pre-Neolithic stratum at Barton Court, Dover; by Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys from 
Folkestone; Mr. A. S. Kennard from Halling ; Mr. B. B. Woodward from Erith; 
and by Kennard and Woodward from the Ightham fissure and Swanscomb. 
In Essex, Prof. Morris records it from the freshwater marls of Clacton and Grays ; 
and Mr. J. P. Johnson has found it in the Uphall brick-yard, Ilford. 
In Middlesex, Mr. W. G. Smith records it from the ‘Paleolithic floor,” Stoke 
Newington, near Clapton Railway Station ; Mr. B. B. Woodward from Brentford; 
and Kennard and Woodward from a sandy section exposed in the excavation in 
St. James Square, London. 
In Suffolk, Prof. Morris recorded it from the freshwater marls of Stutton. 
