VOL. LXIV.] I PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. ■ 567 



among which were some snail shells. I took them out, and gave them to my 

 son, a child about 10 years old, who was then in the room with me. The 

 Saturday following, the child diverting himself with the shells, put them into a 

 flower-pot which he filled with water, and next morning put them into a 

 basin. Having occasion to use it, I observed the snails had come out of the 

 shells. I examined the child. He assured me they were the same I gave him 

 some days before ; and said he had a few more, which he brought me. I put 

 one of them in water ; and, in half an hour after, I observed it put out its horns 

 and body, which it moved with a slow motion, I suppose from weakness. I then 

 informed Major Valiancy and Dr. Span of this surprizing discovery. They did 

 me the favour to come to my house the Saturday following, to examine the 

 snails ; and, on putting them in water, found that only one had life, which was 

 that I put in water, for it came out of its shell, and carried it on its back about 

 the basin. The rest I suppose died by being kept too long in water ; for, on 

 the first discovery, I let them remain in the water till the Monday following, 

 when I poured off the water, the snails being still out of their shells, and seemingly 

 dead. They lay in that state till Tuesday night, when I found they had all 

 withdrawn into their shells ; and, though I several times since put them into 

 water, they showed no signs of life. Dr. Quin and Dr. Rutty did me the 

 favour, at different times, to examine the snail that is living ; and were greatly 

 pleased to see it come out of its solitary habitation, in which he has been 

 confined upwards of 15 years, for so long I can with truth declare it has been 

 in my possession ; as my father died in January 1758, in whose collection of 

 fossils those snails were, and for what I know they might have been many years 

 in his possession before they came into my hands. The shells are small, and of 

 one kind; white, striped with brown. — Since this discovery, I have kept this 

 snail in a small phial, with a cover with holes, to let in air ; and it seems at 

 present very strong, and in health. 



XLlIL.The Bill of Mortality of the Town of Warrington, for the Year 1773. 



By the Rev. J. Aikin. p. 438. 

 The town of Warrington, contains between l600 and 1700 houses. At 5 

 persons to a house, which is supposed a sufficient allowance, as but few are 

 occupied by more than one family, this will give above 8000 for the number of 

 inhabitants. The average of yearly marriages, christenings, and burials, regis- 

 tered in the parish church. 



Marriages. Christenings. Burials. 



From 1750 to 1769 inclusive, is 73 237 IQQ 



For the years 1770, 1771, 1772, is 95 331 258 



This will serve to show the increase of the place, and its comparative healthi- 



