122 UNIVALVES HELIX. 



are the Helix ovalis, and Helix oblonga ; they are land 

 ^llells, and their eggs resemble those of a common spar- 

 row, but perfectly elliptical. 



Among- the Helices which are rounded and imperforate, 

 or without an umbilicus, may be reckoned the Helix 

 dextra and perversa; they are both the same kind of 

 shell, only one has its whorls turned contrary to the 

 other: they are rare shells, and have their surfaces 

 covered with a beautiful citron color, variegated with 

 green, and striped or banded with brown. 



The Helix ianthina has the property of shining by 

 night, and the animal, when alivt^, stains the hand of a 

 purple color, not easily removed ; they are found in great 

 numbers, floating on marine substances, on the surface of 

 the water. 



Amidst the infinite variety of terrestrial shells there 

 is, perhaps, no species so well known as the Helix hor- 

 tensis or common garden snail; it is an inhabitant of 

 European gardens and orchards, and is (it hardly need 

 be stated) very destructive to fruit, and tender leaves. 

 Their eggs are perfectly round, and about the size of 

 small peas. 



Tlie Helix nemoralis, which is an inhabitant of the 

 woods, partakes of the same nature with the last, as also 

 does the Helix lucorum. 



One of the scarcest and most beautiful species of Helix, 

 is the Haemastoma, which is famous for its elegant band- 

 ings and rose colored lips. 



The division of elongated or tapering Helices, includes 

 the following species, viz. Helix decollata or truncated 

 snail. Helix scalaris, and Helix circinata, which has 

 some resemblance to turbo scalaris, Helix columna, and 

 the Helix stagnorum, a fresh-water species. 



