58 A GARDEN SNAIL SHELL. 



It has been observed that snail shells of the same species differ 

 in brilliancy of pattern from various causes. The lesser or greater 

 supply of lime, the more or less prevalence of succulent vegetation, 

 and ample or deficient sunlight decidedly affect the shells. Confine 

 handsomely-marked snails in a Wardian case with little sunlight, and the 

 colours will exhibit a falling off in a short time. As an abnormal 

 instance of absence of colour, Mr. Mann, the lepidoptera collector, of 

 Clifton, had, a few years ago, white shells of H. aspersa, which he found 

 in one spot near the Downs. It would be interesting if some Bristol 

 correspondent would take notes respecting this variety. If the snail 

 shells — empty shells, of course— are dipped in boiling water the outer 

 scarf skin will come away, and leave them more bright in colour than 

 before. This epidermis is put on (like a light overcoat) at the approach 

 of winter in increased thickness, probably to preserve the shell during the 

 long hybernation. 



This paper will have no sympathy from some reader who has 

 suffered from an excessive immigration of snails into his garden, and he 

 will not concur in the estimate, given at the outset, of the snail's utility ; 

 but if the birds provided to keep the species in check — the blackbird and 

 thrush — were not scared away or killed off with such persistence, snails 

 would only be seen in moderate quantities, and would pursue their 

 functions, usefully and not destructively. 



Time was when the rustic maiden in English rural parts read her 

 fortune in the movements of a snail. It is thus poetized by Gay : — 



" Last May-day I searched to find a snail 

 That might my lover's name reveal." 



She placed it on " the milk-white embers spread ;" when 



" Slow crawls the snail ; and, if I right can spell, 

 In the soft ashes marked a curious L. 

 Oh ! may this wondrous omen lucky prove, 

 For L is found in Lubberkin and love." 



W. B. Stkugnell, Cheltenham. 



NOTES ON THE STEUCTUKES OF PITCHER PLANTS. 



BY LAWSON TAIT, F.R.C.S., PROFESSOR OF ANATOMY TO THE 

 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, ETC. 



(Continued from page 8.) 



On the outside of all Nepenthes pitchers multifids and their buds 

 are seen in great numbers, and they are always most numerous and 

 largest at those parts of the pitchers where rain water would be most 

 likely to lodge. They are also best marked in the young condition of the 

 plant in such an instance as N. Rafflesiana. 



In the subepithelial parenchyma a number of cells may be seen to 

 send up slender processes to be in contact with the insertion of the 

 multifids. Bubbles of air may, in rare instances, be seen breaking the 



