This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ...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; aperture longer than wide, with the margin thin and reflected at the pillar, where it half closes the narrow but deep umbilicus; the region of the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ...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; aperture longer than wide, with the margin thin and reflected at the pillar, where it half closes the narrow but deep umbilicus; the region of the mouth is generally of a more or less intense rose-colour. It varies greatly in the distinctness, the strength, and the disposition of the bands: sometimes they are altogether wanting, and at others (rarely) suffused over the surface. It also varies in the colour of the throat, which is generally rose-coloured, but sometimes pure white. It varies greatly in size, according to the situation; and also in form, varying from subglobose to sub-conic, or depressed, as in other species of the genus. Monstrosities are sometimes found with the whorls reversed, and more or less produced. It is one of the most beautiful of our snails, and extremely local. It is common in the south of Europe and Northern Africa; but is not found in the northern countries: Wales may be considered its northern limit. Mr. Jeffreys believes the beautiful pink gloss observed on the mouths of this and H. virgata to be entirely owing to the action of, and exposure to, the sun; for, in the specimens found in more sheltered situations, the colours and marking are much fainter, and sometimes altogether wanting. (Linn, Trans, xvi. 334.) It most probably arises from the animal being in better health in sunny places, as it is most like the warmer climate in which they appear to delight, beyond the confines of which our specimens are living. According to Montagu, it is one of our most rare species. He only found it in one place, on the sand to the west of Tenby, where it is confined to a...
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