l60 JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, VOL. 12, NO. 6, APRIL, 1908. 



The shape and size of the individual teeth are not materially 

 different in the two groups, and truncated central mesocones are 

 present in both series, though more frequent in group (a). 



Group (a) corresponds more closely with the radula of Vitrea rogersi 

 B. B. Woodward, which is described as being one-third larger than 

 that of alliaria and as having "about 40 rows."^ Attention has 

 already been drawn by one of us^ to the fact that consideration of the 

 genitalia and radulas of so-called glabra tends to shew that the species 

 is not homogeneous. Some of our series from Anglesea bear, qua 

 radula, a somewhat suspicious resemblance to alliaria, but the presence 

 of a truncated mesocone in the central tooth of one example calls for 

 special notice. 



It is perhaps worth noting here that two continental specimens of 

 '■'■glabra" were also examined. These were received from Dr. Simroth 

 and Dr. Babor; the former was apparently incomplete and had but 

 thirty-nine rows while the latter had fifty-five. The formula of both 

 was the same: 



1 1 S + 1 I • 2 4 or 2 2 

 3 2 2 or 1 1 



The individual laterals are after the cellaria type with a nitidula 

 arrangement. The radula is not very close to that of any British 

 species ; except in size it is nearer the excavata-nitida type in general 

 appearance than any other, but both specimens possess truncated 

 mesocones on the central teeth. 



Snails in Captivity. — The longevity of snails is an interesting subject, and 

 a certain number of instances are on record of cases in which snails have lived 

 for more or less prolonged periods, when cut off from food. I do not remember 

 having noticed any such record in the case of Claiisilia, and it may therefore be 

 worth mentioning that individuals of two species of this genus, taken by me in the 

 island of Rhodes, in April 1905 (I think they are ccerulea Fer. and turrita Pfr. ), 

 placed at once in a pill-box without food, and not opened since, have to-day 

 (22nd September, 1906) crawled about vigorously when placed on the table. The 

 extreme slenderness of the body of Clausilia appears to render this tenacity of life 

 in a dry atmosphere somewhat remarkable, for the pill-box was itself enclosed in 

 another box, which rested undisturbed on my mantelpiece. In this connexion it 

 may be mentioned that when I was in Egypt in December, 1903, I procured a 

 number of living Helix desertoni/ii, with the view of testing their tenacity of life. 

 They have been kept in a glass-topped box without food ever since, and have 

 remained motionless. To-day they are still alive, and their bodies, when irritated, 

 exude moisture freely. — [Rev.] A. H. CoOKE (Read before the Society, November 

 14th, 1906). 



I B, B. Woodward, /. of Conch., vol. x., 1903, p. 311. 



? W. Moss: " The Genitalia and RadulsE of British Hyalinia," Trans. Manchester Micrp- 

 scopical Society, 189S, p. 27. 



