72 HELICID^. 



Geomalacus maculosus. AUman, Ann. ^^ Mag. N. H. xvii. 

 297. t. 2.; Mr. Grcu/, Mollusca, t. 280. f. 1. ; Forbes and 

 Hanlerj, B. Moll. iv. 12. t. F F F. f. 5. 



West Ireland, Kerry. W. Andrew, Esq., 1842. 



The siibcaudal gland is small, and scarcely to be 

 distinguished in specimens in spirits. These animals 

 are difficult to keep alive in confinement. 



Fam. 2. HELICIDtE. 



Head and tentacles retractile, like the former ; but 

 the end of the tail is tapering, and destitute of 

 any gland. The pulmonary cavity is generally 

 in the front of the body; the respiratory hole 

 is on the hinder part of its edge ; and the orifice 

 of the generative organs is placed near the 

 hinder outer base of the right tentacle. The 

 eyes are on the top of the clubbed eye peduncle. 

 The tentacles are rarely wanting. 



This family contains more than half of the British 

 land and fresh-water shells, that is, 72 out of 128 

 species. It has been divided into several genera, 

 and there are many more exotic ones. 



Many Helices begin to reproduce before they 

 reach their full growth. 



The eggs of most of the Helices of Bulimus 

 ohscurus, Clausilia nigricans, and Balea are opaque 

 or opaline, and isolated. Those of Helix virgata are 

 transparent. The eggs of H. jmlchella are united 

 together into the form of a cup, often 3 or 4 times 

 as large as the animal and its shell. Vitrina pellucida 



