UNIVALVES. HELIX. 121 



those witli ail acute margin, may be reckoned the Helix 

 lapicida, marginata, cicatricosa, and scarabcvus; the last 

 of which is said to be found in the I'riendly Isles, and on 

 the mountains of Asia. These shells were formerly sup- 

 posed to have fallen in showers from the clouds. 



The more compressed or flattened species of tliis genus 

 are those commonly known by the name of antique 

 lamps, in consequence of their great resemblance to that 

 utensil. There are many rare and beauliful shells in this 

 division : among those best known are the Helix lucer- 

 na, lanipas, carocolla, &c. &c. &c. The rarest speci- 

 mens, however, are the Helix ringens or grimier, the 

 Helix Gualteriana or Gualtieri s snail (so called after the 

 chonchologist of that name), and the Helix tricarinata or 

 triple-keeled snail. There are other species which have 

 their whorls more produced, and altogether are much 

 more globose or inflated in their forms; such are the 

 Helix ampullacea. Helix glauca (a very rare shell) and 

 Helix pomatia ; the latter snail is an inhabitant of the 

 woods of Europe, and was introduced into England by 

 Sir Kenelm Digby, for medical purposes. The animal is 

 used in many parts of Europe as an article of food during 

 Lent ; and it was a favorite dish w ith the Romans. It 

 is oviparous, very tenacious of life, and, towards winter, 

 covers its aperture with a calcareous lid. 



The animal of the Helix ampullacea is also eaten, it 

 grows to an immense size. It deposits its eggs in clus- 

 ters, on the bark of trees, or rushes, &c. they have some- 

 times a pink tinge, but arc generally dull white. 



The innumerable varieties of the Helix citrina, or ci- 

 tron land snail, are uncommonly beautiful. 



There are some of the Helices which closely resemble 

 shells classed with the Volutes ; the two principal species 



