LAND SNAILS. 
173 
the acicular leaves of the larch and pine, in 
company with Helicella pura, H. crystallina , and 
Vitrina; this latter habitat is exceptional, be¬ 
cause, “it is unusual to find molluscan life in 
„such situations,” for the presence of coniferous 
trees exerts a retarding influence on the growth 
and increase of land snails. 
Its occurrence has been noticed by Mr. 
Bridgman, at Norwich, on a sunny bank near the 
Thorpe toll-bar, adhering to the roots of grass in 
the loose earth between the stones. “ It was 
not, however,” this gentleman writes, “at the 
roots of the grass, beneath the surface of the 
soil, but quite on the top, and also in the fine 
loose earth among the large flints, with which 
the bank is faced, and, in the first instance, ad¬ 
hering to the flint itself.” 
It is found sometimes abundantly amongst 
rotten wood. 
It is inferred, because A. acicula usually lives 
underground, and has rarely been observed on 
the surface in a living state, that it feeds upon 
animal matter. 
At the present time, this species has only been 
found here and there to the South of Yorkshire, 
and in the South and West of Ireland. It is dis¬ 
tributed throughout Europe, and ranges into 
Asia Minor and Syria, and inhabits Algeria and 
Madeira. 
