The West American Scientist. 



Vol. II. San Diego, Calif., Januaky, 1886. No. 1. 



LAND SHELLS OF SAN DIEGO, 



A stranger to the Pacific coast in search of terrestial snails in 

 the vicinity of San Diego, would meet with many disappointments 

 if he were only acquainted with the New England methods of cap- 

 ture. In vain would be the search beneath tempting stones or stray 

 bits of wood which former experience had led him to believe cap- 

 ital lurking places for these animals. 



At first, only tantalizing to the naturalist, the deserted homes 

 of a few helices will alone reward the most diligent search. But 

 the haunts of the beautiful mollusks — too often considered nearly 

 as treasures for his conchological cabinet, — may in time become 

 known to the student or the collector ; along the coast the succulent 

 plants, cactuses, etc., will be found giving shelter and food to He- 

 lix Stearnsina, a fine conical and beautifully mottled shell, which, 

 if particularly robust or found on an island is usually called Helix 

 Kellettii ; the broad stems of opuntias will be discovered protecting 

 the small delicate shell of Helix Traskii during the winter rains ; 

 and, after displacing a few tons of rock, the zealous doctor may 

 find in the rocky canyons or among the foothils the large, banded 

 Helix tudiculata, H. Newberryana, and if especially fortunate, a 

 few individuals of Macrocyclis sportella. 



Along the muddy banks of the small rivers when in their proper 

 mind — i. e. when not bottom side up, as is proverbial of Californ- 

 ian rivers during the summer, — or climbing among the reeds or 

 willows where they may have become lodged during high water, 

 will be found hundreds of the amber-colored Succinea Oregonen- 

 sis of Lea which might almost be considered an amphibous mol- 

 lusk. Also on the dryest mesas, or on the high table Jands of 

 Lower California on the very brink of the Colorado desert, this 

 same careless snail may be found occasionally, aestivating on the 

 under side of some friendly succulent. 





