406 



THE OCEAN WORLD. 



In the north of France, and round Paris, Helix pomatia is the 

 favourite culinary snail (Fig. 196). This is the species which is 



Fig. 193. Helix aspersa (Miillei). 



used as a speaking sign-board over the doors of the wine-shops and 

 small restaurants in the neighbourhood of the Halles, at Paris. Its 



Fig. 194. Helix aspersa (Miiller). 



Fig. 195. Helix aspersa 

 (Var. Scaiaris). 



shell is globose and tun- shaped, very solid, marked with irregular 

 transverse stripes of a brownish rust colour, with bands, often nearly 

 effaced, of a deeper tint, and of the same colour. The animal is large, 

 of a yellowish grey, and covered with elongated irregular tubercles. 



Besides Helix pomatia, according to Moquin-Tandon, they eat in 

 the north of France Helix sylvatica and H. nemoralis ; at Montpelier, 

 as we have already said, H. aspersa and H. rhodostoma ; at Avignon, 

 also, these, along .with H. vermicula, are favourites. In Provence, 

 Helix Pisana, with H. aspersa and melastoma, are preferred. At Boni- 

 facio, Helix aspersa, H. vermicula, and, more rarely, H. rhodostoma ; 



