HYGROMIA HISPIDA. DS) 
In Galway, Mr. R. D. Darbishire found it in the old land surface, between layers 
of blown sand, at Dog’s Bay, Connemara. 
In Tipperary, the Rey. A. H. Delap found it in a marl deposit near Clonmel. 
In Belgium, it is found abundantly in grey limestone at Orp-le-Grand, Brabant. 
In Seandinavia, Dr. Nordmann records it as common in the Holocene of Sweden 
and Denmark ; and Steenberg from the freshwater chalk beds Oxnebjerg, Jutland. 
Variation.—AHygromia hispida varies greatly in size and shape, in the 
degree of contraction of the umbilicus, and in the density or sparseness of 
its hispid covering, and has on one or other of these variable characters 
been split up into quite a number of species; but the necessity for specific 
names for these forms has never been justified as yet by the demonstration 
of anatomical differences, and every purpose would be better served for 
the present by regarding such forms as varietal only, inasmuch as a varietal 
nomenclature, while emphasizing the differences that may exist, keeps 
prominent the relationship. 
As so aptly remarked by the late Mr. Alder, whose judgment was so 
thoroughly sound in the perception of distinctive characters, “the great 
difficulty of distinguishing these hispid shells by any permanent character 
has induced us to consider them all as varieties of the same species, of 
which H. concinna and H. sericea Drap. form the two extremes.” 
As affecting the shape of the shell, Dr. Germain has declared that the 
effect of a very humid and relatively cold climate is shown in this species 
by the slow and very regular coiling of the whorls; while Mr. Searles Wood 
believed that a marshy habitat induces an elevated form of shell. 
The pale peripheral zone is in a general way the only indication of the 
existence of a former scheme of spiral banding, but M. Picard alludes to a 
form from Abbeville, France, ascribed to this species, bearing a very narrow 
brownish band beneath the last whorl. 
The degree of hispidity is in inverse ratio to the calcification of the 
shell and reflects the character of the environment, the very hispid shells 
usually showing a very feeble development of the apertural rib, and are 
always proportionately duller in colouring than the depilate forms. 
Though isolated instances occur of hispid individuals inhabiting some- 
what exposed and arid situations, thus apparently controverting its more 
general prevalence in shady and moist places in accordance with the 
principle that dense shade and a certain degree of moisture conduce to 
the development of a thick epidermal covering with a tendency to its 
chitinous prolongation into hair-like processes ; while aridity and exposure 
always lead to a reduction in the thickness of the periostracum and the 
loss of any hirsute adornments, and frequently to several successive forma- 
tions of the labial rib to the shell during its growth, traces of which are 
perceptible and persistent throughout after life. 
Prof. Lessona has described and figured the Piedmontese varieties 
ripularum, vulgaris, trochiformis, hemisphwrica, subcalata, and subplebeia 
in the Atti Acc. Scienze di ‘Torino of 1879, but this work has not been 
available for examination, and it is probable that all the forms indicated 
could have been appropriately placed under some of the numerous names 
previously published. 
The true position of Helix sericea var. fontaine’ Colbeau from the banks 
of River Dendre, Hainault, is very uncertain, being described as having its 
affinities with H. occidentalis Recluz, and to be quite different from the 
H1. sericea of other localities. 
