108 UNIVALVES. 



by one who traversed it, as having a herbage 

 underneath the trees and shrubs, which is com- 

 pletely covered with snails of a prodigious size, 

 and of the best sort ; and in that country these 

 animals are esteemed a delicacy. 



Snails furnish a valuable article of food on 

 the shores of the Mediterranean, where they are 

 boiled in their shells, and served up with rice. 

 They possess nearly the same nutritious qua- 

 lities as oysters, and the use of them has often 

 proved efficacious in consumptive disorders. 



The Helices which live on land become torpid 

 on the approach of winter, and generally cover 

 the mouth of their shell with an operculum. 

 Like that of other terrestrial mollusca, this 

 covering is not attached to the animal, but to the 

 shell, and is deciduous, acting only as a preserva- 

 tive against the cold of winter. 



The history of this genus is very interesting 

 and instructive, affording a striking instance of 

 the superintending providence of the Almighty, 

 and his care for the peculiar wants of His crea- 

 tures ; though all things are at his command, 

 He is not prodigal of means ; He gives what is 

 required, and holds back what is needless. Upon 

 the animals who inhabit the rocky shores, or 

 bottom of the ocean, He has bestowed a thick 

 substantial covering; but to snails, the greater 

 number of which live on the land, or in stag- 

 nant pools, or peaceful streams, He has given a 

 thin and remarkably light shell, which, while it 

 affords ample protection to its inmate, offers no 



