HELIX. 30 



and are frequently so numerous, as almost to cover the 

 ground with, a mass of animal life. There are many 

 species that have the same congregating habits. It 

 is a variable shell both in size and appearance. Those 

 that most nearly resemble it are pisana and erice- 

 torum; the former however is larger, generally about 

 twice the size, and may be known by its roseate mouth, 

 and the beautiful checquered stripes that surround it ; 

 while the latter has a much flatter spire, and the aper- 

 ture smaller and more circular. This species seldom 

 attains to half-an-inch in diameter. The spire consists 

 of five whorls, round the base of which the brown 

 band generally winds. The lip is not reflected nor 

 much thicker than the rest of the shell. 



Hal. Extremely abundant in chalk and limestone 

 districts, and in sandy places near the sea coast. 



H. CAPERATA. Montagu. PI. VI, fig. 15. 



Shell a brownish colour, striated ; outer whorls rather angular ; 

 mouth small and white. 



Helix striata, Drap. 



The name of this shell would seem to premise some- 

 thing beautiful, and we are not disappointed when we 

 find it, but are delighted with its simple elegance of 

 form, and chasteness of colour. There is no other shell 

 that can be confounded with it. The whorls form a 

 regular curve, and do not come to an apex, as most of 

 the other Helices. It varies but little in shape, though 

 considerably in colour; the prevailing hue is white, 

 with brown concentrated markings. About three- 

 eights of an inch in diameter. 



Animal a dingy white colour. 



Hob. Similar situations to H. virgata, may often be 

 met with in large numbers on the sand hills near the 

 sea. Locally abundant. 



H. ERICETORTJM. Mutter. PI. VI, fig. 18. 



Shell discoid ; white or light brown colour, generally banded ; 

 aperture round and small ; outer lip acute. 



Helix Itala, Linn. 



r. 2 



