85 



deposit of decayed vegetable matter ; here, so numerous 

 are the different sjjecies, that we have neither time nor 

 ability to make any classification of them, so depositing 

 them in some of our boxes, having more regard to their 

 size than specific distinctions, being afraid if we mix the 

 smaller with the larger, that they may be lost or injured. 



Following the guidance of our leader, we traverse 

 the w^ood in all directions ; now examining the roots of 

 plants ; now carefully scanning the stems and leaves of 

 the dense masses of ferns, Equisetse, and the larger 

 herbaceous plants, with which the place is crowded, for 

 the more conspicuous of the Helices and Succinea putris . 

 Nor do we forget to pry in the bark, and beneath the 

 Lichens which clothe the stems of the huge oaks around 

 us, being assured that we shall most probably be re- 

 warded with some of the Clausilia tribe, or, perhaps, 

 Balea fragilis. Coming to an old stump, we are advised 

 to examine it well, as it will most likely afi'ord us some 

 interesting specimens, and sure enough, we have not 

 been long busily engaged amongst the moss which 

 clothes its decayed sides, before one of our party ex- 

 claims exultingly, " I have it, I have it ! " and exhibits 

 to our eager and enquiring gaze the most elegant land 

 shell we have yet found, Clausilia laminata, and we 

 seem as though we could scarcely cease admiring its 

 deep pellucid chocolate colour, the gracefulness of its 

 swelling outline, and the curious wavy tooth which 

 protects its mouth. Several others are found, and we 

 wend our way homewards. 



Living within a few miles of the sea coast, and un- 

 derstanding there are a number of Land Shells to be 

 found upon the sand-hills in the neighbourhood of the 

 sea, it is not long before we determine upon an excur- 



