168 POPULAR CONCHOLOGY. 



which is the pest of our gardens, is more in- 

 fluenced by the weather than many of the 

 smaller sort ; for upon the first appearance of 

 cold these animals creep into crevices and under 

 stones, clustering and clinging together as if 

 they were capable of communicating warmth by 

 association. In the centre of the epiphragma 

 is an exceedingly minute orifice, communicating 

 with the lungs ; and this minute hole, though 

 not large enough to admit a drop of water, is 

 of sufficient capacity for the passage of air for 

 the purpose of extremely slow, but not totally 

 extinct respiration.* 



Many instances have been known of the 

 great tenacity of life which snails possess. 

 A gentleman received some species closely 

 packed with marine shells from the Mauri- 

 tius; the day after they were unpacked they 

 were discovered wandering about, apparently 

 uninjured from their long and close con- 

 finement. Some lived ten days; but a want 

 of proper food or the uncongenial climate then 

 killed them. There are instances, also, of 



* Gray's edition of Turton's Manual. 



