HELIX SNAIL. 109 



impediment to its loco-motive propensities. Can 

 we see this beautiful adaptation to circum- 

 stances this provision for the wants, and consi- 

 deration for the comforts of His creatures, and 

 not give the praise and adoration to Him, who 

 riding upon the wings of the winds, regards not 

 only the sons of men, but the meanest reptile 

 that crawls upon the earth ! 



HELIX Pomatia* 



EATABLE SNAIL. 



Specific Character. Shell nearly globular, 

 turbinate, with five rounded whorls strongly 

 wrinkled longitudinally ; aperture semi-lunar, 

 margin rather thickened, and turned a little 

 outwards ; the columellar lip much reflected 

 over the umbilicus ; colour dingy yellowish 

 brown, commonly with three faint bands on the 

 body whorl ; one of which continues, round the 

 next whorl ; size about two or three inches in 

 length, and nearly equal in breadth, 



This is the largest species of land shell found 

 in England. It is not a native of this country, 

 but was originally introduced about the middle 

 of the sixteenth century, either as an article of 

 food, or for medicinal purposes. It is supposed 

 to have been first imported from Italy into 

 Surrey, by a Mr. Howard of Albury ; the animals 

 increased there prodigiously, and are now become 



* Plate V. figure 1. 



