HELICODONTA OBVOLUTA. 54 
slightly adherent to each other, though separable by the slightest touch ; 
that they hatch in about a month; and that all the young hatched in 
captivity after June died, while those hatched earlier in the year and 
kept under identical conditions survived, full growth being attained in 
October and November of the following year. 
Mr. H. Beeston, from a long acquaintance with the species m its native 
habitat, thinks that oviposition is continued all through the summer 
months, as he finds shells in all stages of growth quite late in the autumn 
and even in their winter quarters when they had only attained about one- 
third of their normal size, and believes that the eggs are deposited singly 
or at most two or three together, so that the young unlike those of many 
other species are not naturally gregarious ; Mr. A.W. Stelfox, however, has 
recorded the finding on May 17th, 1908, of a nest of about a dozen newly- 
hatched young under a fallen log in the woods on Duncton Beacon. 
Mr. Beeston also states that the individuals hatched in spring became 
adult in October or November, those hatching later attaining full growth 
in spring after hibernation. 
Dr. Gassies records that in France accouplement takes place from May 
to July, and that the oviposition of about a score very small eggs follows a 
few days after mating. he eggs are agglutinated together by a colourless 
mucus; the young emerge in about twenty days; they are when young 
intensely hirsute with stiff velvety pile, and become adult at the end of 
November. 
Food.—In captivity Miss Hele found the favourite food to be dock 
(Rumex obtusifolius), but they also fed upon plaintain (Plantago major), 
dandelion (Leontodon taraxacum), and cabbage (Brassica oleraced). 
Mr. L. Dawes, who has had considerable experience in rearing this 
species, found the animals to eat lettuce (Lactuca sativa) greedily, but 
they also freely feed upon fungi, preferring a thick leathery fungus grow- 
ing on old logs (Lenzites betulina), and especially a small, soft and watery 
cup-shaped kind; they also devour very rotten beech wood, or the minute 
growths thereon. 
The late Mr. W. Jeffery kept this species in confinement, supplying 
them with decayed wood, leaves, and damp moss, on which they appeared 
to thrive ; he was of opinion that when at liberty the food was principally 
lichens from the stems of trees, and rotten wood. 
Mr. Beeston, who has studied this species for twenty years, is strongly 
of opinion that naturally it does not usually feed on the living leaves of 
trees or plants, but regards minute lichens, mycetozoa, and fungi as their 
staple food, to which in dry, hot summer days he adds the damp and dead 
decaying beech leaves. He also has often observed them collected together 
devouring the plasmodium of certain species of the Mycetozoa found upon 
decaying timber lying in contact with fallen leaves or the bare ground, and 
he especially remarks on their preference for putrifying and deliquescent 
fungi, particularly Boletus edulis; in such situations specimens may always 
be found if inhabiting the vicinity. The mycelium of fungi is probably 
also fed upon. 
Habits. —H. obvoluta is said to be rather active, and secretes a good 
deal of clear slime, and is not easy to find, except when out feeding after 
rain, or in the evening. In showery weather it may ascend high up the 
beech trees. In dry weather it retires into the hollows of old decaying 
