GARDEN SNAILS. 25 



debted for his able and most instructive work on 

 British conchology holds that Linnseus was right, 

 and observes that the variety hybrida (Frontis., 

 fig. 12) seems to connect the two forms so far as 

 concerns their conchological distinction ; and the 

 only character of importance upon which a difference 

 between them can be founded, consists in a slight 

 variation of shape in their love-darts.* He accord- 

 ingly regards H. nemoralis as the type, and hortensis 

 and hybrida as local or casual varieties of one and 

 the same species. He has never found any two of 

 these forms living together, and other observers have 

 made the same remark. There are endless varieties 

 of each, (See Frontispiece.) 



Wherever any rank growth of nettles and other 

 weeds has been allowed to stand, whether in gardens 

 or elsewhere, we may look for the little Helix 



* During the pairing season, snails of this genus are fur- 

 nished with little crystalline darts, which, after many little 

 coquettings, they shoot out towards each other. They are 

 contained in a special pouch or receptacle ready for use, and 

 their shape varies according to the species. Some individuals 

 have only one, others two, while in a few species they are 

 wanting altogether. After such conflicts, these curious 

 love-darts may be found sticking in the bodies of the 

 wounded. 



