150 XEROPHILA VIRGATA. 
As a xerophilous species, it is remarkable as sharing with 7’heba cantiana 
and certain other species the habit, when roughly handled, of ejecting from 
its mouth one or two drops of a clear tasteless fluid like water. 
Though not strictly geophilous, it seldom climbs so high on trees as 
those observed by Mr. L. E. Adams, which were at a height of ten feet or 
more up the trunks of the beech trees, and Mr. Hartley has observed them 
at Southport, where they climbed to the very top of the houses. 
Its preference is for the short grass of the open downs, and it is most 
abundant on the sea-coast, and on limestone, chalky, or sandy soil, though 
far from being confined to them. Moquin-T'andon remarked upon the 
preference of Helix maritima for the coast, and apparently views this as 
indicating a different species, overlooking that this habitat may be a cause 
of the variation. 
Dr. Riel, of Lyons, has recently investigated the analogy between 
halophile areas and waste or arid ground far removed from the influence 
of the ocean, and shows that the characteristic plants are similar in both 
these different areas; while the non-marine mollusca, naturally accustomed 
to live under maritime influence, are demonstrated to prosper admirably 
when transferred to waste ground far removed from the sea. 
They are not very active, but fairly bold, but do not usually extend the 
anterior parts very far beyond the shell when crawling. One specimen 
while under observation crawled 13 inches in one minute, or a mile in 29 
days 8 hours. 
It is said to be very sensitive and averse to wind, and can only be found 
during windy weather with great difficulty, while very persistent drought 
or consistent heavy rains are almost equally inimical. 
Hibernation.—In this country . virgata usually does occupy hiber- 
nating quarters, although isolated instances of its hardihood are recorded, 
and the habit of hibernation is not accepted by some observers. 
It has been stated to be very late in waking from its winter dormancy, 
and Mr. J. A. Hargreaves from his long experience of this species at 
Scarborough, affirms that it is never obtainable until the approach of 
summer, and sometimes is even as late as August. It is, however, probable 
that the growing young are about, and that July and Angust are the 
periods of their approach to full size, while the older ones in a great measure 
have died off during the winter months. 
During hibernation it has the habit of burying itself mouth upwards 
level with the soil, exactly as other species do, but it is easily revived by 
warmer spells, and then moves about in search of food. 
Uses.—J. virgata is regarded as edible in certain parts of France and 
in other countries. A large form is, according to Mr. L. E. Adams, 
always to be found on sale in the Algerian markets. The var. variabilis is 
very generally eaten by the peasantry at Montpellier, and throughout the 
ancient province of Aquitaine, and the var. /ineata in other parts of France. 
Parasites and Enemies.—This species has many enemies amongst 
the birds, which evidently regard it as a desirable food. The rock dove 
(Columba livia), the stock dove (Columba cnas L.), and pigeons generally 
eat this species freely. The peewit (Vanella cristata), the wheatear 
(Suxicolu cnanthe L.), and pheasants also find it nutritious. The fieldfare 
and redwing search during the winter months for and feed upon WV, virgata, 
and the starling will also eat them, especially in winter, 
