TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSKS. 



ORDER PUIvMONATA — SUBORDER GEOPHIIvA. 



Before describing- the species common to the coun- 

 ty, it will be necessary to give my readers a g*eneral 

 idea of the habits, etc., of the snails. I have examined 

 the animals in their own homes, and have domesticated 

 them to the number of ten or twelve species on my 

 premises in Chicao-o, where at the present writing-, 

 some of them are hibernating-, or taking- their annual 

 sleep. I have a number in g-lass cases. A few have 

 fastened themselves to the walls of my library, while 

 I have planted some in various locations around the 

 yard. My first observation was Macrocyclis concava 

 attempting- to make a comfortable meal of its inoffen- 

 sive neig-hbor Helix alterriata. The carnivorous pro- 

 pensity of the species is well known. Some of the 

 species are more active than others in their movements. 

 My H. alternata have made frequent attempts to 

 escape. Most of those I have are g-enerally passive 

 and remain closely withdrawn into the shell. The 

 snails can live a long- time without food or moisture. 

 I now have live ones that have been without food for 

 several months, and I shall test their endurance further. 

 Extremes of temperature are said to be fatal to snails. 

 Most of the species are solitary in their habits, living- 

 alone, beneath log's, leaver and stones, or debris. 

 They prefer the shade of the forest, or damp, cool 

 places. Here they pass the major part of their lives. 



