288 MOLLUSCA. 



Trans, vol. xiv. p. 163.) In Ireland those so differing have no such 

 scruples ; such as I have seen in connexion, and displaying each other's 

 spicula or love-darts, have been very dissimilar in colour and markings ; 

 they have so occurred to me from the middle of April to that of Septem- 

 ber. Mv. Hyndman once found a spiculum of this species stuck through 

 the leaf of a dandelion [Leoiitodon Taraxacum) ; if there be but the one 

 use in the missile, it would thus seem that the animal will occasionally 

 miss its aim. 



A H. nenioralis of ordinary size, which I found near Belfast, exhibits a 

 prominent tooth where the basal margin joins the whorl. I have in the 

 month of May detected the blackbird preying on this Helix. 



H. arbiistorum, Linn. 



This delicate and handsome species was noticed by Capt. Brown and Dr. 

 Turton as having been found about Dublin ; at Killarney, the Rev. 

 Thomas Hincks, of Cork, informs me that it is met with ; but the North 

 seems to be its more favourite abode ; in suitable localities throughout the 

 County of Antrim it prevails, as it likewise does in Down, but more spar- 

 ingly. Of 147 specimens collected at the same time in the neighbourhood 

 of Larne, in the former County, all were of the ordinary state, or marked 

 with the dark band (see Pfeiffer, tab. 2, f. 7), exce])t 12, which were of the 

 variety in which the band is wanting, the spotting much paler, and the 

 coloiu" generally much lighter. (Pfeiff. tab. 2, f. 8.) Having collected 

 this species in England and Scotland, as well as Ireland, I may observe 

 that moisture and shelter in a certain degree have always seemed to me 

 its desiderata. At Dovedale in Derbyshire, and at Knockdolian in Ajt- 

 shire. it occurred plentifully about moist limestone cliffs, and in the latter 

 locality with little more than ferns (especially Ci/sfca fraf/ilis) to shelter 

 it. In the North of Ireland I have met with it in shady woods in the 

 lower grounds, and likewise in young plantations at a considerable eleva- 

 tion in the mountains, and where there was no more shade or moistm'e 

 than the Liizula sylvafica requires. From its shell being so easily broken, 

 this animal is a favourite food of the thrush genus. (See Magazine of 

 Zoology and Botany, vol. ii. p. 436.) 



H. jmlchella, Mull. 



This species may more literally than most others be stated to be dis- 

 tributed over Ireland, for it is the verge of the sea that marks its bound- 

 ary. Although occurring throughout the inland parts of the country, it 

 seems especially to delight in the short ])astures in the vicinity of the sea 

 around the entire coast ; in some of the islets of Strangford Lough, too, I 

 have in like manner observed it. 



The var. H. cvenella, Mont., has been considered by some naturalists 

 peculiar to damp situations ; but with this my observation does not accord, 

 the beautiful ribbed variety being more frequent tfcan the smooth state on 

 the cb'y sea-banks of the North of Ireland. Mr. E. "Waller writes to me, 

 with reference to Finnoe, County Tip])erary, "I have found both varieties 

 of H. pulchella in high and di-y grounds, as well as damp and Iom'." 



H.fnsca, Mont. 



This handsome species was noticed by Turton as Irish, but merely in 

 the Mords "woods in Dublin." (Conch. Diet., p. 61.) It is found in the 

 North, East, West, and South, but in King's County and Tipperary has 

 not been met with by my correspondents. As this species, though Avidely 



