492 



MY GARDEN. 



Pomatia (fig. 1087) is found in abundance, although it has not been 

 seen within it. This is the eatable Roman snail, and by some persons 

 is considered to have been an introduced species. It is the kind 

 which I have seen in the snail gardens of Eastern Switzerland. I 

 introduced a considerable number into the boundaries of my garden, 

 but I cannot yet tell whether they will live in my district. I am informed 

 that to this day the workmen of Didcot collect them from the chalk 

 downs and eat them. This species, whether introduced or natural, 

 is now abundant on all the chalk downs of England. 



We have the variously marked Girdled Shell {Helix nemoralis, 

 fig. 1088), but not in large quantities. The outward appearance of 

 different specimens presents so much difference that I at first thought 



Fig. 1087. — Helix Pomatia. 



Fig. 108S.— Girdled Shell. 



Fig. 1089. — Zonites 

 crystallinus. 



Fig. 1090. — Succinea 

 putris. 



Fig. logr. — Limnaeus 

 Pereger. 



there were several species, but Dr. Gray, the great authority, assured 

 me they were all the same : one naturalist has given seventy-seven 

 names to varieties of this species alone. 



Of other Helicina, we have Zonites lucidus, a small species, and 

 Zonites crystallinus (fig. 1089), which lives amongst moss and leaves. 

 We have also Helix cantiana, or Kentish Snail, which lives in hedges 

 in Kent and Surrey, and some other counties ; H. concinna, or Neat 

 Snail ; and Helix or Succinea putris (fig. 1090), the common Amber 

 Snail, which is abundant on the water iris in our lake, but of its natural 

 history I know little. 



In the water of the lake we have great abundance of Limnaei, 

 particularly of Limnceus Pereger (fig. 1091) and L. Stagnalis. They 



