72 
HELICID^. 
Geomalacus maculosus. Allman^ Ann. ^ Mag. N. H. xvli. 
297. t. 2. ; Mr. Gray, Mollusca,t. 280. f. 1.; Forbes and 
Hanley, B. Moll. iv. 12. t. F F F. f. 5. 
West Ireland, Kerry. W. Andrew, Esq., 1842. 
The subcaudal gland is small, and scarcely to be 
distinguished in specimens in spirits. These animals 
are difficult to keep alive in confinement. 
Earn. 2. HELICID^. 
Head and tentacles retractile, like the former ; but 
the end of the tail is tapering, and destitute of 
any gland. The pulmonary cavity is generally 
in the front of the body ; the respiratory hole 
is on the hinder part of its edge ; and the orifice 
of the generative organs is placed near the 
hinder outer base of the right tentacle. The 
eyes are on the top of the clubbed eye peduncle. 
The tentacles are rarely wanting. 
This family contains more than half of the British 
land and fresh-water shells, that is, 72 out of 128 
species. It has been divided into several genera, 
and there are many more exotic ones. 
Many Helices begin to reproduce before they 
reach their full growth. 
The eggs of most of the Helices of Bulimus 
ohscurus^ Clausilia nigricans^ and Balea are opaque 
or opaline, and isolated. Those of Helix virgata are 
transparent. The eggs of H. pulchella are united 
together into the form of a cup, often 3 or 4 times 
as large as the animal and its shell. Vitrina pellucida 
