HELIX PISANA. ovo 
Mr. Stubbs also remarks that at Tenby it associates freely with //. virgata, 
but is apparently a successful competitor of //. ‘tala and H. acuta, these mol- 
lusks being always absent from the area occupied by the present species. 
Food.—//. pisana, though showing various local preferences, would 
seem to be quite omnivorous, as where they are found they often exist in 
such multitudes, that after rain especially, they swarm over everything, and 
much latitude in choice of food seems quite impossible. 
In Jersey, the Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum i.) and the Wall- 
flower (Cheirunthus cheiri li.) would appear to be the favourite plants, 
although the Thistles are frequently quite covered with them. 
In Guernsey, the Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus Li.) would appear to be 
the favourite plant at Vale Castle, as the Wild Radish close by is quite 
neglected ; while at Vazon Bay, Mr. G.S. Tye found the shells clustering 
upon the Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea I..), and nestling at the roots 
of Sea Pink (Armeria muritima Willd.) ; while at the head of Bordeaux 
Harbour it lives on the Thistles and Wild Fennel (Fiwnieulum vulgare 
Gaertner). 
At Tenby, they usually frequent Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum I..), 
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), and Wild Sage (Teucrium scorodonia 
L.), but on the burrows they swarm upon the Sea Holly (Lryngium mari- 
timum Li.) and Ragwort (Senecio jucobea I.). 
In France, M. Millet reports them feeding on Lryngium maritimum 
in the department of the Loire Inférieure, and Dr. Gassies on Sainfoin 
(Onobrychis sativa Lam.) at Agen. 
In Calabria, according to the Marchioness Paulucci, they feed upon the 
Euphorbia and the Indian Fig (Opuntia sp.). 
In the Canary Islands, Captain Farrer found them mostly upon the Aloe 
(Agave americana L.) and Prickly Pear (Opuntia dilleniti Haw.) ; while 
the var. grasseti, which lives on the mountain slopes, feeds exclusively 
upon the Luphorbia balsamiferu. 
In Egypt, it lives upon Peganum harmala I.., a strongly scented shrub, 
whose seeds were formerly used in the dyeing industry ; and in Algeria 
and elsewhere has been observed on the Oleander. 
The Rev. A. H. Cooke records their carnivorous propensities, as they 
destroyed and devoured some //. ‘tala during a brief confinement together 
in the same box; and Mr. R. A. Phillips has recently had a similar experi- 
ence, some specimens confined for three days in the collecting-box, killed 
and ate several specimens of //. virgata which were imprisoned with them ; 
while Mr. C. Ashford accuses the species of cannibalism, as he found that 
several specimens, enclosed in the same box for transit through the post, 
had killed and partially devoured one of their companions during the 
journey. 
Uses.—At Trapani, Sicily, and probably at other places, this animal is 
used, according to Mr. lL. E. Adams, as bait for the smaller sea-fish. ‘The 
shell is broken and the animal removed and put bodily upon the hook. 
In France, Italy, and Algeria it is regularly brought to market, and is 
used as food by the people, although, according to Lallemant, it has a 
sour after-taste. 
At Marseilles market it is sold at the rate of three francs per fifty kilo- 
grammes (nearly 112 lbs.). ~ 
