Freshwater Mollusca of Ireland. 



23 



5. Helix arbustorum, Linn. Gray, Man. p. 137. pi. 3. f. 25; Drap. 



p. 88. pi. 5. f. 18; Mont. p. 413. 

 This delicate and handsome species was noticed by Capt. Brown 

 and Dr. Turton as having been found about Dublin ; at Killarney 

 the Rev. Thomas Hincks of Cork informs me that it is met with ; 

 but the north seems to be its more favourite abode : in suitable local- 

 ities throughout the county of Antrim it prevails, as it likewise does 

 in Down, but more sparingly. Of 147 specimens collected at the 

 same time in the neighbourhood of Lame in the former county, all 

 were of the ordinary state, or marked with the dark band (see Pfeiffer, 

 tab. 2. f. 7.), except 12, which were of the variety in which the band 

 is wanting, the spotting much paler, and the colour generally much 

 lighter. (PfeifF. tab. 2. f. 8.) Having collected this species in En- 

 gland and Scotland as well as Ireland, I may observe that a certain 

 degree of moisture and shelter have always seemed to be its desi- 

 derata. At Dovedale in Derbyshire, and at Knockdolian in Ayrshire*, 

 it occurred plentifully about moist limestone cliffs, and in the latter 

 locality with little more than ferns (especially Cystea fragilis) to 

 shelter it. In the north of Ireland I have met with it in shady woods 

 in the lower grounds, and likewise in young plantations at a consi- 

 derable elevation in the mountains, and where there was no more 

 shade or moisture than the Luzula sylvatica requires. From its shell 

 being so easily broken this animal is a favourite food of the thrush 

 genus. (See Magazine of Zoology and Botany f, vol. ii. p. 436.) 



6. Helix pulchella, Mull. Gray, Man. p. 141. pi. 5. f. 49; Drap. 



p. 112. pi. 7. f. 30— 34. 

 H. paludosa, Mont. p. 440. H. crenella, Mont. p. 441. pi. 13. 

 f.3. 



This species may more literally than most others be stated to be 

 distributed over Ireland, for it is the verge of the sea that marks its 

 boundary. Although occurring throughout the inland parts of the 

 country, it seems especially to delight in the short pastures in the 

 vicinity of the sea around the entire coast ; in some of the islets of 

 Strangford Lough, too, I have in like manner observed it. 



The var. II. crenella, Mont, has been considered by some natu- 

 ralists peculiar to damp situations ; but with thip my observation 

 does not accord, the beautiful ribbed variety being more frequent 

 than the smooth state on the dry sea-banks of the North of Ire- 

 land. Mr. E. Waller writes to me, with reference to Finnoe, county 



* At the Falls of Clyde Mr. Hyndman has collected specimens. 



f Helix lapicida, Linn. Gray, Man. p. 140. pi. 5. f. 51. Capt. Brown 

 inadvertently noticed this species as found in the neighbourhood of Belfast 

 by Dr. M'Donnell, p. 523, by whom I am informed that the specimens seen 

 by that gentleman in his collection were English. In his Catalogue of Irish 

 Shells, Dr. Turton says of this species, " found by Mrs. Travers of Belgrove, 

 on the stone steps of her mansion at Cove;" — rather a suspicious habitat. 

 The species has not occurred in Ireland either to myself or to any corre- 

 spondent ; English specimens have in a living state been turned out in the 

 neighbourhood of Limerick within the last year. 



