CARYCHIUM. 301 



manner as to give the surface an appearance similar to that 

 which is observable on the shells of several species of Limncea 

 (showing the conchological relation between that and the 

 present genus) : periphery rounded : epidermis not very 

 thin : whorls 5 J, convex ; the last occupying nearly one-half 

 of the shell, and the penultimate whorl fully equalling (if 

 not exceeding) it in breadth : spire moderately pointed : 

 suture deep : mouth obliquely oval, contracted below into a 

 narrow channel, furnished with a strong spiral fold or plait 

 on the middle of the pillar, and with another on the pillar 

 lip : outer lip exceedingly thick and reflected, having on the 

 middle of its inside edge a strong tooth or tubercle which 

 projects into the mouth : upper edge considerably inflected : 

 inner lip thickened in adult specimens and forming with 

 the outer lip a complete peristome : umbilicus consisting of 

 an oblique slit. L. 0'07. B. 0-035. 



HABITAT : Under stones and logs of wood, at the roots 

 of grass, and among moss and dead leaves, in woods 

 and damp places, everywhere from the Moray Firth 

 district to the Channel Isles, as well as throughout 

 Wales and Ireland. It is a member of our upper ter- 

 tiaries. Gerstfeldt has recorded it as a Siberian species, 

 Philippi as Sicilian, Morelet as inhabiting Algeria ; and 

 it seems to be universally distributed over every part of 

 the Continent. 



This is an exquisitely beautiful creature, both alive 

 and dead ; and Miiller did scant justice to it in calling 

 it a " bestiola" when he was apparently provoked by its 

 shyness. Its eyes are so exceedingly black and piercing 

 that they are visible through the shell, when the animal 

 is not disposed to venture out of doors. It inhabits 

 mountainous tracts as well as plains, but seems to prefer 

 the vicinity of water. Dr Lukis informs me that it 

 makes its winter domicile in the hollow stems of the 

 larger marsh umbelliferous plants. The plaits or folds 

 are in course of formation at a very early period of 

 growth ; and young shells have the columella notched 



