2 1 8 Quarterly Journal of Conchology. 



ON THE VITALITY OF CERTAIN LAND MOLLUSKS. 



By RoBT. E. C. Stearns. 



From the Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Oct. i8th, 1875. 



I submit for the inspection of the Academy a Hving specimen 

 g{ BiiUmus pallidior, Sby., one of nine given to me by Prof Geo. 

 Davidson, who collected them at San Jose del Cabo, Lower 

 Cahfomia, in March, 1S73. 



These snails were kept in a box undisturbed until June 23, 1875, 

 when I took them out, and, after examination, placed them in a 

 glass jar with some chick-weed and other tender vegetable food, 

 and a small quantity of tepid water, so as to make a warm humid 

 atmosphere. This hospitable treatment induced them to wake up 

 and move about after their long fast and sleep of two years, two 

 months and sixteen days. Subsequently all died but this, which 

 seems to be in pretty good health, but not very active. 



It may be remembered that I mentioned before the Academy 

 at a meeting in March, 1867, an instance of vitality in a snail 

 (Helix Veatchii), from Cerros Island, even more remarkable, the 

 latter having lived from 1859, the year it was collected, to March, 

 1865, a period oi six years. 



The famous specimen in the British Museum which is cited in 

 the books. Helix desertorum, had lived within a few days of four 

 years, fastened to a tablet in one of the cases, when discovered to 

 be alive. 



Helix desertorum, as the specific name implies, is found in arid 

 and sterile areas, in the continents of Africa and Asia, and has, 

 as will be perceived, a wide distribution. From the former con- 

 tinent, I have specimens from Egypt, and it also ranges through 

 Arabia in the latter. 



The Bulimus from the mainland of the peninsula of Lower 

 California, and Helix Veatchii from Cerros or Cedros Island, off 



