405 



fcarce any appearance of bands. It is not an aboriginal 

 Ipecies of this kingdom, but was firfl introduced about 

 the middle of the fixteenth century, cither as an article 

 of food, or for medicinal purpofes. Is fuppofed they were 

 firft imported from Italy, and turned out in Surry, by a 

 Mr. Howard at Albury ; where they encreafed prodigi- 

 oufly, and are by far the moft common fpecies about 

 AJJited, Boxhill, Leathcrhead, Darking, and the neigh- 

 bouring parts. 



It is alfo (aid that Sir Kenelm Digby difperfed 

 them about Gothurjl, near Newport Pagnal, in Buck- 

 inghamfiire, where they did not thrive much. Mr. 

 Morton informs us, fome were turned out by Lord 

 Hatton at Kerby in NorthamptovJIiire, but that they 

 did not encreafe. 



They are commonly ufed as food in many parts of 

 Europe, efpecially during Lent; and are preferved and 

 fattened for that purpofe; but we do not find they grow 

 to that fize fpoken of by Varro, who fays the fhells 

 would hold ten quarts. They were a favourite difh with 

 the Romans, who had their Cochlearia, or nurfery, and 

 fattened them (as we are toldj with bran and foddeii 

 wine. 



It has been found according to Da Costa, in Ox- 

 JordJJure, about Wuodjlock and Blandcn: m Gloucejier- 

 Jliire about the parilh of Chcdworih; and in DorfctJInre. 



Doftor 



