1704 The Zoologist— June, 18C9. 



feet. These are all thin, delicate shells ; and the povrer of suspension 

 seems as if designed for their injury or destruction. 



Helix stigmatica, and its allies, live under stones or among dead 

 leaves : they are dull in colour, and the most of them small in size. 

 H. stigmatica is never found fairly in the daylight. Once only, if I 

 rightly remember, 1 found an individual which had just turned the 

 corner of the rock under which it lived. Why do they not come out 

 to the light, and what do they live upon in their dark retreats ? 

 Another group, of similar habits, comprises Helix Titanica, H. pul- 

 cherrima and others. I'hese have longitudinal lines of bristles, or 

 rather stiff hairs, which are quite conspicuous in the young shell, but 

 diminish, wear away, or quite disappear with age. 



Shells often cease growing for a time, so far at least as relates to 

 their calcareous covering. Their growth is interrupted during the dry 

 season, and it may also be by an unusually dry time in summer. In 

 banded shells, when the growth is resumed, the pattern of their mark- 

 ings is often, perhaps always, changed. The bands may be moved to 

 the right or left, or be divided into two, or two may be united, or a 

 colour may be suppressed, or a new one introduced, or any one colour 

 may be widened or narrowed. In Helix picla. Born., the variety of 

 markings is almost innumerable. While the animal remained 

 quiescent as a whole, why did not the several parts retain their rela- 

 tive positions ? The colour-secreting glands must have changed in 

 position. 



The wide diffusion of some species, and the extremely limited area 

 in which others are found, excite in the inquiring mind a desire to 

 know the causes of this unequal distribution. Helix regina in several 

 forms is found in the whole of the mountain range of the western part 

 of the island. Helicina adspersa is another extensively diffused 

 species, besides being very variable in size and markings. On the 

 other hand, Cyclostoma foveatum has been found only in one locality, 

 at the base of a high projecting cliff, in considerable numbers, but all 

 dead ; nor is it known where it lives. I have looked upwards from 

 below, and have climbed to the top and looked downwards in vain. 

 Not more than two or three have been obtained in a moribund state, 

 — a single one only with sufficient life to enable Gundlach to describe 

 and figure the animal. A few square yards contain all we know of 

 this species. Achatina fasciata is found from one end of the island to 

 the other, and at all elevations above the sea, under several forms 

 which have been described as distinct species. Helix picta. Born., 



