4768 THE ZooLocist—JI ANUARY, 1876. 
Forbes one of 241bs.; Captain Leith Hay one of 24 lbs. and one of 22 lbs. ; 
Dr. Forbes three, of 26 lbs., 24 lbs. and 23 lbs. ; Major Norie two, of 25 lbs. 
and 22Ibs.; Mr. Hunter two, of 27 Ibs. and 21 lbs. ; Captain Burnett two, 
of 241bs. each; Mr. Littlejohn one of 28 lbs. ; and a vast number of fish 
weighing at least 20 lbs. each. 
Helix pomatia.—I notice in the ‘ Zoologist’ for November last (S. S. 
4705) a reply of Mr. J. E. Harting to an observation made by the Editor 
upon the colour of Helix pomatia. I have not seen the plate in Mr. Harting’s 
book; but this I know, that a white Helix pomatia is comparatively un- 
common. ‘The typical colouring of the shell is yellow or yellowish white, 
brown-banded, the latter colour generally being more or less diffused over 
the shell, in some cases giving it a deep brown colour. Ihave had hundreds 
of the species in my possession at various times, and out of the whole 
number have met with but two white—or rather, I ought to say, whitish— 
shells: these I labelled in my cabinet “albida,” thinking that Dr. Gwyn 
Jeffreys’ description of that variety—‘*shell whitish or colourless” (Brit. 
Con., vol. i., p. 177)—was a sufficient warranty for my so doing; but a 
friend of mine, an experienced conchologist, who saw them, took exception 
to the name, thinking them not white enough. I have twenty shells of the 
typical colour in my collection, from five counties, none of which have any 
pretentions to whiteness. As this species is not uncommon on the chalk, it 
is probable that in many instances where the shells occur they become, 
by the action of the chalk, denuded of their epidermis, as is the case with 
Helix aspersa and H. nemoralis in the same situations; the outer layers of 
the shell then, being exposed to the action of the elements, would become 
white, as a “dead” shell, and somewhat like “a lump of chalk.” As the 
couplet from ‘ Hudibras’ quoted by the Editor would seem to imply that 
he is not convinced of the correctness of Mr. Harting’s statement as to 
colour, I send specimens of Helix pomatia, showing the grades of colour 
and markings common to the species, and think they will prove that he is 
correct.—G. Sherrij/-T'ye ; Handsworth. 
Arocecdings of Scientitic Societies. 
Zootocican Socrery or Lonpon. 
November 16, 1875.—Oszenrr Satyiy, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. 
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society’s Menagerie during the month of October, and called particular 
