ZONITES. 97 



relates that when he placed it under water (where it 

 is capable of remaining for a considerable time with- 

 out injury) it drew in its tentacles, at the same time 

 extending its body and making it rigid in order that 

 it might appear to be dead. Having remained for a 

 few hours in this position it crawled slowly out of the 

 water, and cautiously protruding its tentacles to make 

 sure that the way was clear, it hastened to a safe 

 hiding-place and retreated within its shell. 



The expedient of feigning death, or sometimes 

 lameness, during moments of alarm, is frequently re- 

 sorted to by animals. Some beetles when molested 

 will roll over and remain quite motionless, as if they 

 were dead. The lapwing, when the approach of a 

 stranger imperils the safety of her eggs or young, 

 wheels in circles round the intruder's head, uttering 

 the while her plaintive cry, then suddenly darting off 

 to a distance she lights upon the ground, and feigning 

 lameness, runs limping along, inviting his pursuit in 

 the hope of decoying him far away from her nest. 



Var. i. depressiuscula, Jeffr. Shell rather oval and flatter 

 on both sides ; spire scarcely raised above the level of the last 

 whorl. Near Swansea and Plymouth (J. G. J.), B.C. 



Var. 2. Dillwynii, Jeffr. Shell nearly globular, with the last 

 whorl very convex ; spire more prominent. Sandhills near 

 Swansea, at the roots of Rosa spinosissima (J. G. J.), B.C. 



GENUS IILZONI'TES* DE MONTFORT. 



Body elongated, capable of being entirely contained within 

 the shell ; mantle thick, slightly reflected ; tentacles 4, cylin- 

 drical, swollen at their tips ; foot long, slender ; jaw smooth, 

 more or less beaked ; edge teeth of lingual ribbon hooked. 



* From the Latin word zona, a girdle. 



H 



