. The popular natural history . Zoology. SLUGS. S^S number of species. Most of the Snails have a shell large enough to permit the animal to withdraw itself wholly into the protecting domicile. The genus Helix, which is universally accepted as the type of this family, is of enormous extent, both in numbers and in range of locahty, containing more than tourteen hundred species, and spread nearly over the whole earth. Our present example is the common Snail, which is even now largely con- sumed in many parts of the world, and is regularly fed and fattened for that purpose. It is thought a delicac
. The popular natural history . Zoology. SLUGS. S^S number of species. Most of the Snails have a shell large enough to permit the animal to withdraw itself wholly into the protecting domicile. The genus Helix, which is universally accepted as the type of this family, is of enormous extent, both in numbers and in range of locahty, containing more than tourteen hundred species, and spread nearly over the whole earth. Our present example is the common Snail, which is even now largely con- sumed in many parts of the world, and is regularly fed and fattened for that purpose. It is thought a delicacy by those who are sufficiently strong-minded to eat it; and it is quite common to see, even in Paris, the poorer orders dressing their dinner of Snails on an iron plate, heated over burning charcoal. An aUied species, the Edible Snail, {helix pomatia) was introduced into England by Romans, and still exists in many places. Towards the end of autumn, the Snail ceases to feed, withdraws itself to some sheltered spot, mostly under grass, moss, or dried leaves, and then .sets about makmg its waiter habitation. This process is very curious, and is thus described by Mr Bell :â "Alargequantity of very viscid mucus is secreted on the under surface of the foot, to which a layer of earth or dead leaves adheres ; this is turned on one side, and, a fresh secretion being thrown out, the layer of earth mixed with mucus is left. The animal then takes another layer of earth on the bottom of the foot, turns it also to the part where he intends to form the wall of his habitation and leaves it in the same manner, repeating the process until the caviiy is sufficiently large, and thus making the sides smooth,even, and compact. Inform- ing the dome or arch of the chamber, a similar method is used ; the foot lU^' â '^^. COMMON SNAIL.â(Helix aspersa.) collecting on its under surface a quantity of earth, and the animal, turning it upwards, leaves it by throwing out fresh mucus ; and this i
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
