UNIVALVES. 167 
The Helix pomatia, or Edible Snail, differs little 
in appearance from the common species; it was in- 
troduced into England by the celebrated Sir Kenelm 
Digby, as food, or medicine for his lady, who died of 
a consumption. Various attempts have been made 
to naturalize them in Northamptonshire, but without 
success, as they uniformly refuse to emigrate from 
the southern woods of England. They are more 
susceptible of cold than other species; and towards 
winter, close their apertures with a calcareous lid, 
and remain in a torpid state until the spring. 
Edible Snails are used as food during Lent in 
several parts of Europe. They are fattened for the 
purpose in large reservoirs, the floors of which are 
covered with herbs and flowers. These creatures 
formed a favourite dish with the luxurious Romans, 
who fed them on bran and wine, till they grew to such 
a size, that, if we may credit the testimony of Varro, 
the shells would contain ten quarts. Admitting the 
truth of this account, the temperance of the younger 
Pliny will no longer be a subject of admiration, 
whose suppers consisted of a lettuce for each guest, 
three snails, two eggs, a barley cake, sweet wine, and 
snow. Fulvius Hirpinus is said to have introduced 
this luxury, a short time before the wars of Czesar 
and Pompey. 
Several extraordinary instances of design stu- 
