42 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



with their excreta. The following paragraph may be quoted 

 from the report to show the general effect of the plague : — 



" The presence of such a horde of plant-eating animals in a 

 comparatively small space would lead to the expectation of a 

 scene of devastation, with the country eaten bare of all green 

 matter. But the actual conditions are far otherwise. There is 

 no appearance of desolation, and evidence of injury can be 

 found only by careful search. A casual visitor might pass 

 through the affected area without noticing anything unusual. 

 The general aspect of the vegetation is as luxuriant and healthy 

 as in any other part of the country. In fact, the wealth of 

 varied foliage at this spot might even be considered remarkable, 

 and becomes astounding when the presence of countless numbers 

 of these giant snails is appreciated." 



Evidence of damage could be found in small vegetable 

 patches, where certain plants had been defoliated and others 

 denuded of their bark. Three hundred and seventy-five indi- 

 viduals were collected and counted from a space four yards 

 square in one such garden. 



But the comparatively small damage to vegetation that was 

 noticeable could be accounted for by the fact that the snails were 

 largely engaged in scavenging work. Ocular evidence was not 

 wanting that they were feeding upon excrement (both human 

 and cattle) — a habit that must be of great benefit in a densely 

 populated native village. They were also feeding largely upon 

 fallen and decayed fruit. 



A snail of this size requires a considerable quantity of lime 

 for the development of its shell, and it was observed that they 

 were resorting to the whitewashed and plastered walls of build- 

 ings to obtain this supply. On abandoned buildings, where they 

 were undisturbed, the snails had rasped large patches of lime- 

 wash from the surface of the walls, and had eaten small holes in 

 the plaster. But occupied buildings were easily kept free from 

 attack. 



Native reports specified individual monsters that scaled over 

 a pound. This is probably an exaggeration. Average speci- 

 mens were found to weigh between four and five ounces, but a 

 single example of thirteen ounces has since been received, and 

 the weight authenticated. 



