naturalists’ cal e n d A II. 
93 
may be plentifully met with the B. fasciatu?, (8) this shell is very subject to va¬ 
riation of colour, but it is in general whitish, with brown streaks or bands, about 
half an inch or rather more in length, and one third as much broad, semitrans¬ 
parent, and coarsely wrinkled longitudinally. On heaths and other dry situa¬ 
tions is the Helix Ericetorum, (7) the shell is nearly one inch in diameter, flat, 
of a grey or rusty brown colour, with generally a brown band above, continuing 
round the edge of the smaller volutions. Sometimes the bands are so oblitera¬ 
ted, as to be hardly visible. Also in the same situations, may be seen in abun 
dance the H. virgata; (9) it is about half an inch in diameter, and nearly as 
much high, usually white with a single dark brown band in the middle of the 
larger volutions, and several irregular ones at the base; but subject to great va¬ 
riation. In the Autumn these shells are often collected in such great numbers, 
as to give rise to the popular notion of their having fallen from the clouds. In 
warm weather, after a shower of rain, they ascend the blades of grass in prodi¬ 
gious numbers, and it is an opinion, (probably a correct one) that they tend 
greatly to fatten the sheep, which browse upon the short grass, and of necessity 
devour prodigious quantities of them. On dry sandy plains, every where, may 
be found the H. ciugenda, (10) the shell is about half an inch in diameter, and 
not so much high; colour whitish or yellowish, rarely without coloured bands, 
but mostly with seven or eight brown circular lines on the lower volution, often 
broken into dots; the tip black; these bands are very variable. 
Insects. —The knowledge of the form and disposition of the eggs of insects is 
of the greatest importance in Entomology, as it will enable the observer to de¬ 
cide immediately on the insect, to which any eggs he chances to meet with be¬ 
long. The red hairy masses on the leaves of hedges and fruit trees, contain the 
eggs of the gold-tailed Moth, (Porthesia Chrysorrhoea); The small caterpillars 
spin together, and form those white bags, so common on trees during winter. 
The greyish hairy masses, disposed spirally around the branches of fruit trees, 
hedges, willows, &c. by the Eriogaster lanestris or small egger moth, may be 
plentifully collected through the winter. The red hairy masses, situated 
on the trunk and lower surface of the branches of the elm, lime, oak, and fruit 
trees, mark the eggs of the gypsey moth. (Hypogymna dispar.) We also see in 
winter, the ring formed by the union of the smooth eggs; disposed circularly 
around the branches of fruit trees by the lackey moth. (Clisiocampa Neustria.)* 
These when hatched all feed upon the foliage; but there are others even more 
destructive still to trees, whose eggs are not so conspicuous, and whose larvae eat 
through the bark to the pith, and thus feed 
upon the wood, and cause the trees to perish. 
Amongst these may be named, the Hornet 
Hawk Moth, (Trochilium Crabroniformis,) 
the Bee Hawk Moth, (T. apiformis,) the 
Breeze Hawk Moth, (iEgeria asiliformis, 
Fig. 13.) The Currant Hawk Moth, (JE. 
Tipuliformis.) The Great Hawk Moth, (rE. 
Culiciformis. 
Meteorology. —The interior temperature of the earth in this country, is sel¬ 
dom below 48 deg. Fahr. this is proved by the non-freezing of springs of water 
* Hull de Se. Nat. 
