SNAILS AND SLUGS 
175 
without sufficient clothing the writer is unable 
to say, but, unfortunately, it only lived 
for a few days after indulging in this strange 
behaviour. 
Another snail found in this country is the 
edible, vine or apple snail {Helix pomatia), as 
it is variously called. It should be pointed 
out, however, that its scientific name has 
nothing to do with the Latin word pomum, 
“ an apple,” but is derived from the Greek 
poma, “ a lid,” and refers to the fact that 
the snail closes up the opening of its shell 
during the winter months with a calcareous 
covering. 
The term “ apple ” is given to the creature 
owing to the compact and rounded shape of its 
shell, while that of “ vine ” is employed because 
it is fed on vine leaves in those parts where it is 
specially fattened for human consumption. The 
snail is also spoken of as the Roman snail 
owing to the commonly received belief that the 
animal was introduced into this country by the 
Romans in order that they might continue to 
feast upon their favourite dish when they were 
away from their homeland. 
Nowadays, however, this supposition does 
not receive credence by the majority of natural¬ 
ists, and it has even been suggested that the 
snail was unknown to the Romans, the species 
