84 THEBA CANTIANA. 
that four specimens of the present species and half-a-dozen individuals of 
smaller species devoured three dozen coleoptera of half-a-dozen different 
species, which were confined together in the same receptacle ; the natural 
food, as verified by examination of the stomach contents of several indi- 
viduals, by Mr. Ashford was shown to be decaying grass and leaves. 
Dr. Gain, who has kept numerous specimens in captivity, records that 
they are shy feeders, and very discriminating or fastidious, as of 95 
different kinds of food they left 54 absolutely untouched, and only one, the 
foliage of the swede (Brassica rutabaga DC.) was devoured with avidity ; 
13 kinds were, however, freely eaten, these were turnip foliage and turnip 
root (Brassica rapa Linné), radish foliage, pea, scarlet runner bean, apple, 
Boletus edulis, Agaricus campestris, sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), woody 
nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), 
lime tree (Tilia europa), and marsh willowherb (Apilobium palustre) ; the 
remaining 27 were all more or less distasteful. 
Economic Uses.— According to Dr. Brumati, this species 1s regarded 
as comestible, and eaten in the district around Montfalcone, Goritz. 
Parasites and Enemies.—'l'his species was formerly believed to be 
almost immune from destruction by birds, but its remains have been found, 
sometimes numerously around ‘thrush stones” in Kent, Sussex, Hertford- 
shire, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire by several reliable observers. 
Mice also prey upon it in Northamptonshire, according to the observa- 
tions of Mr. C. E. Wright. 
The glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) is also recorded by Mr.W. J. Lucas 
as noticed devouring this species at Oxshott, Surrey. 
Protective Resemblance. — Mr. H. Crowther has described and 
commented upon the protection accorded to this species by its general 
resemblance to the fungus-infested leaves of the coltsfoot (Tussilago 
Jarfara), stating that the brown blotched, grey shell has a remarkable 
similarity to the autumnal patches of the invading fungoid growths on the 
pale green fading leaves. 
Geological Distribution.—7\ cantiuna has not as yet been reported 
from any deposit older than the Pleistocene, and although Mr. B. B. 
Woodward has published his opinion that this species is in all probability 
a post-Roman introduction to this country, and does not occur in any of 
our British deposits, even in those of most recent date, such views are now 
demonstrated to be unsound. 
It is on record from the gravels of Barnwell and Grantchester, near 
Cambridge, but Mrs. McKenny Hughes and Mr. J. R. le B. Tomlin after 
careful investigation have affirmed that the record is erroneous and should 
be attributed to Hulota fruticum. 
PLEISTOCENE. —In France, H. galloprovincialis is recorded by M. Locard from 
the Upper Pleistocene deposits of the valley of the Somme, as well as from the 
osseous breccias of Corsica. 
In Italy, Dr. Pantanelli recorded ‘‘ Helix cantiana” in the ‘‘ Post Pliocene 
Travertin,” at Colle, near Siena, Tuscany. 
In Algeria, a possible form of this speeies, described as Helix subcantiana, is 
mentioned by Bourguignat as common in the Pleistocene caleareous deposits at the 
Cap de Garde, near Bone. It is said to be very similar in form, character, and 
aspect to Theba cantiana, but to differ in its much wider umbilicus, 
