OF NEW ENGLAND. 9 
proach of winter, or the continuance of a severe drought, 
the snail hybernates, that is, it ceases to feed, and with- 
draws itself far within its shell, leaving at the same time 
several barriers within the aperture of the shell, composed 
of the mucous secretions of the animal. In this condition 
it remains, motionless and apparently lifeless. The-mode 
of forming these partitions is quite curious, and will in- 
terest the observer. As the snail withdraws within the 
shell it inspires a certain quantity of air; the creeping 
disk, and the parts of the animal bordering the aperture 
of the shell pour out a certain quantity of: mucus, which 
stretches completely across the aperture of the shell. 
This soon hardens, and the snail by expiring most of the 
air in its lungs, and thus reducing its bulk, retires still 
farther within its shell, and again forms a barrier similar 
to the one just formed, and oftentimes several partitions 
are formed in this way, one behind the other, affording a 
complete protection against the inroads of cold and water, 
and apparently of heat as well, since they always do this 
when confined in a dry or hot place. In a certain foreign, | 
species, this partition partakes of a calcareous nature, and” 
thus affords a more enduring barrier. In the spring time 
the snail resumes its activity, the barriers are forced 
through by the tail, and frequently the snail devours 
them, as if famishing after its long continued fast. 
All species of land snails with few exceptions, are ovi- 
parous ; that is, the young are hatched from eggs laid by 
the parent. The sexes are united in each individual, 
though the mutual union of two individuals is necessary to 
fertilize the eggs. They lay from fifty to one hundred 
eggs ata time. The eggs of most species are very small, 
white in color, and resemble homeopathic pills. If the 
conditions are favorable, the young issue from the eggs in 
AMERICAN NAT. VOL. I. 2, 
