132 JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY. 



NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 

 By CHARLES ASHFORD. 



(Read before the Conchological Society.) 



Helix virgata. — For some reason not apparent, atmos- 

 pheric conditions last year were unfavourable to molluscan life 

 in the west of the Island. The diminished number of individuals 

 not only of this species but of others usually abundant was very 

 marked, as well upon the hedges inland as upon the Downs. 

 Continued heavy rain and persistent drought are inimical to H. 

 virgata, but neither of these formed the feature of the summer 

 or autumn. A pretty variety with a single dotted cincture below 

 the suture and a depressed spire occurs in one field under 

 Afton Down, nearly all the individuals partaking more or less of 

 the peculiarity. Another variety of a uniform purple-brown 

 colour, sometimes wholly black, seems to be chiefly confined to 

 a few square yards near the sea-cliff. The prevailing plant there 

 is Carduus ienuifolhis, upon the stems and leaves of which it is 

 to be found associated with typical forms. These facts confirm 

 the opinion that such peculiarities are hereditary. The small 

 conical variety, subniat'itima , appears never to occur away from 

 the Downs. Bouchard-Chantereaux says (Brit. Con. i. 212): — 

 " Helix virgata does not seem to mind the cold and never 

 hibernates." I cannot confirm this statement. During the winter 

 of 1879 I repeatedly looked for this species and ^. fl'i;?/^'?/^' but 

 could find none alive. Numbers of shells dotted the ground, 

 but examination shewed them all to be untenanted. 



Helix caperata. — This again, though abundant in 1879, 

 was positively scarce last year. Along a hedge-row, where I once 



