LAND AND FRESH WATER SHELLS. 
247 
out any epiphragm, and stir out for food when the 
weather is tolerably mild. These species also will 
on receiving an injury to the mouth secrete a thin 
lid of the same description, and continue quiescent 
in this state until the fracture has been repaired. 
Helix rufescens. Common in heaps of stones 
and among rubbish, and generally where there is 
much moisture and shade. Its colour varies. 
Helix sericea.—Common in damp and shaded 
situations, and especially where deadleaves abound. 
Helix virgata.—Very common in dry situations. 
In some places, and particularly elevated fields, they 
are so numerous as to be a pest to the agriculturist. 
This shell and Bulimus fasciatus are liable from 
exposure to become denuded of the outer layer, 
and bleached. At the approach of winter they re¬ 
tire into warm hedges, and do not appear abroad 
again till spring has fairly set in. 
Helix caperata.—Common in dry situations. In 
old limestone quarries large and beautiful speci¬ 
mens are found crawling on the rock facing south¬ 
wardly. 
Helix spinulosa.—In woods among leaves, and 
in heaps of stones. They seem to retire in winter 
into mould formed by decayed moss on rocks, or 
into other sheltered situations. Not common. 
Helix fusca.—In woods among moss. Rare. My 
own specimen is greenish amber colour, Mr. Colley’s 
is of a dull browm. 
Helix nitens.—Very common among wet moss 
and under stones. Large specimens are usually 
found dead. The finest I ever collected, and which 
were fully three-fourths of an inch in breadth were 
lying on bare rock sloping down to the sea, a re¬ 
markable habitat. They get much into caves of 
limestone. 
Helix alliaria—In the same situations as the last, 
but not so common. Full grown shells would cer- 
