HELIX. 61 
Romans as an article of food is now discarded. On 
the Continent it still continues to be considered a 
delicacy. 
Var. albida. White. 
4. H. asparsa (besprinkled). 
Globose, solid, opaque, yellowish with dark brown bands, 
which are interrupted at intervals by lighter markings ; 
whorls five and a half; wmbilicus none. 
Everyone knows the “common garden snail.” 
Those, however, who only regard it as an object of 
immediate extermination have no idea of its beauties 
when met with under happier auspices. 
The proprietor of a London garden, for instance, 
strolling out after a shower of rain, when he fixes his 
stern gaze upon our friends regaling themselves upon 
his pet sunflowers, generally collects them in an empty 
flower-pot, and then heaves them stealthily into his 
neighbour’s garden, whence, perhaps the next day, 
they return in a similar manner. This person, I say, 
is not in the frame of mind to appreciate their beauty; 
and, indeed, near towns they are not beautiful, being 
mostly without any epidermis and covered with dirt. 
The finest and most beautifully marked specimens 
that I have seen were taken at the Isle of Man. 
In various parts of England 7. aspersa still forms an 
