HELIX. 61 



Romans as an article of food is now discarded. On 

 the Continent it still continues to be considered a 

 delicacy. 



Var. albida. White. 



4. H. ASPERSA (besprinkled). 



Globose, solid, opaque, yellowish with dark brown bands, 

 which are interrupted at intervals by lighter markings ; 

 whorls five and a half ; umbilicus none. 



Everyone knows the " common garden snail." 

 Those, however, who only regard it as an object of 

 immediate extermination have no idea of its beauties 

 when met with under happier auspices. 



The proprietor of a London garden, for instance, 

 strolling out after a shower of rain, when he fixes his 

 stern gaze upon our friends regaling themselves upon 

 his pet sunflowers, generally collects them in an empty 

 flower-pot, and then heaves them stealthily into his 

 neighbour's garden, whence, perhaps the next day, 

 they return in a similar manner. This person, I say, 

 is not in the frame of mind to appreciate their beauty ; 

 and, indeed, near towns they are not beautiful, being 

 mostly without any epidermis and covered with dirt. 



The finest and most beautifully marked specimens 

 that I have seen were taken at the Isle of Man. 

 In various parts of England H. aspersa still forms an 



