Page:Natural History, Mollusca.djvu/103

Rh by the desire of Mr. Sabine to the Zoological Society. About the same time this year (1829) it produced a second egg, and three weeks afterwards a third; the latter was unfortunately broken by the animal itself, but the former is still in preservation. It fed upon lettuces, and the tender leaves of cabbages; the former seemed to be its favourite food. Sometimes it would devour two large lettuces, and then remain for days afterwards without touching food, or moving from its place, except when cold water was sprinkled upon it. During the day, it was usually in a dormant state in the shade; but towards the evening, when the house was moist and warm, it would spread itself out, and move from one part to another. It seemed to like moisture, and I have no doubt that it might have been preserved for years, if it had not been accidentally killed. On Saturday last, it was at the end of the house where the fire comes in, and ventured too far upon the hot bricks after they had been watered; in the morning, it was found fixed to them quite dead."

The animal in this well-known genus has a lengthened, depressed foot, and a large produced central spiral body, covered with an ample shell. The form of the shell is generally more or less globose, but sometimes depressed or flattened; the mouth is large and rounded, but the swelling of the last whorl intruding into it renders the interior of the aperture crescent-shaped; the mouth is strengthened by an internal thickened rib, and its