i8g2. 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



45 



Mollusca. 



CONCHOLOGY IN WINTER, 



BY W. A. GAIN. 



Now the snow has left the ground bare we may recommence our 

 hunting. Although not quite so enjoyable as in the summer and 

 autumn months a snailing ramble may be both pleasant and 

 productive. Most species are now in their winter quarters, and when 

 their retreat is found a good haul is the usual result. 



Hyalina may be found crowded under stones and bricks lying on 

 the ground, many Helices and slugs occupy similar positions. Among 

 the dead leaves in woods we may generally find Vitvina as well as 

 several species of Hyalina, Helix aculeata, Helix pygmcea — this 

 species should be carefully looked for on any piece of dead brancii 

 which may be turned up among the leaves — Clausilia rngosa, Cochlicopa^ 

 and other species in abundance; this, too, is the place for Avion 

 intermedins, especially if the locality is rather more than usually damp, 

 in this case Carycliiuni niiiiimnni is also pretty certain to be found. Old 

 walls with loose stones should be examined, and the grass pulled up 

 from their bases, wdiere close to the wall many small species may 

 often be found. 



The gregarious habits of slugs and snails may be well observed at 

 the present season; a few days ago I lifted, one after another, a 

 number of bricks lying in an orchard, I found only Agrioliniax 

 agvestis, Hyalina alliaria, and Helix hispida, they were in considerable 

 numbers, and among the examples of the first I found an example of 

 usual markings, but what was particularly worth remarking was that 

 although in some cases the bricks almost touched, each brick 

 sheltered one species only. The loose bark on trees should 

 never be overlooked, beneath this many species may be found 

 at this season, it is the most likely place to find Balia perversa 

 in company with Clausilia nigosa and other common species. 

 The debris left near rivers and streams by the recent floods should be 

 diligently examined, among the piled-up material may be found shells 

 of every species inliabiting the drainage area, land and fresh-water, 

 many of course will be dead shells, very dead, as my friend used to 

 say, that is, havings lost the epidermis, but many will be in very fair 

 condition, and rare species and varieties are pretty certain to occur; 

 the Vertigos are always well represented, in some cases they may be 



