HELIX POMATIA. 



after remaining in torpidity a number of years ; and they also 

 possess extraordinary powers of reproduction, being able to 

 renew almost any part of the body that has been amputated, 

 or of the shell that has been broken. This species of Mollusca 

 is universally diffused throughout the continents of Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa, (in America it is not so abundant,) in the 

 hottest and coldest climates; in the forests of Guiana and 

 Brazil, at the foot of Chimborazo, and even in the great des- 

 ert of Zahara, the common snail will be found. 



Among the members of the family HELICIP/E, one genus 

 deserves especial notice, from its structure. There are only 

 two species known, Anastosma depressa and Anastosma glo~ 

 bulosa. " The peculiarity," says Mr. Sowerby, " which distin- 

 guishes this genus from all the other Heliciform Univalves is 

 so extraordinary, that it appears to us to be deserving of par- 

 ticular notice, inasmuch as it evidences a considerable altera- 

 tion in the habit and economy of the animal which produces 

 it, at the time of its arrival at the last period of growth, when 

 it forms the reflected' outer lip and the teeth in the aperture. 

 Until then the animal must crawl about like other snails, with 

 the spire of its shell uppermost ; but as soon as it arrives at 

 maturity, and is about to form its complete aperture, it takes 

 a reverse position, and afterwards constantly carries its spire 

 downwards." It is rare, and brought from the East Indies. 



CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 



The HELIX POMATIA, Edible Snail, was considered by the 

 ancient Romans one of their table luxuries, and such great 

 attention was paid to the mode of feeding them, that they 

 frequently attained an immense size. On the shores of the 

 Mediterranean they are still regarded as a valuable article of 

 food when boiled in the shell, and eaten with rice. In some 

 countries, as Switzerland and parts of France, they form a 

 considerable article of commerce. They are fed by thousands 

 in places called escargatoires, which are made on purpose for 

 them. They are used boiled in milk for diseases of the lungs, 

 and were sent to England from Italy as a great delicacy. Sir 

 Kenelm Digby transported them from the South of Europe, 

 and placed them on the grounds in the neighborhood of Box- 

 hill, Kent, where they may still be found ; but they do not 

 attain to the size they often display in Italy. 



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