it is moving, while it drags up the remainder to a new position.

In England the rustic maiden once read her fortune in the meanders of a snail :'

Last May-day fair I searched to find a snail,
That might my lover's name reveal;

She placed it on "the milk-white embers spread," when
Slow crawl'd the snail and, if I right can spell,

In the soft ashes mark'd a curious L.

Oh may this wondrous omen lucky prove,
For L is found in Lubberkin and love.-Gay.

Why are snail-shells so often found adhering to rocks, &c?

Because the snails have then retired to torpidity, previous to which they have formed an operculum or lid from the mouth of the shell, by which they attach themselves, and at the same time close up even all access of the air. The winter lid of some snails resembles a piece of card paper.

All the land testacea (shell animals) appear to have the power of becoming torpid at pleasure, and independent of any alterations of temperature. Thus, snails, if placed in a box at midsummer, will attach themselves to its sides, and remain in this dormant state for several years. Even in their natural haunts, they are often found in this state during the summer season, when there is a continued drought. With the first shower, however, they recover, and move about, and at this time the conchologist ought to be on the alert.

Why do snail-shells become more brilliant when plunged into boiling water?

Because the skin or film with which they are covered, is then removed.

Why have some snail-shells elevated ribs, and others slight depressions?

Because the shell is gradually formed by the snail, by aid of a fold or membrane, to be perceived where the body rises into the shell. This part is denominated

the collar, from the manner in which it surrounds the body, and it is the organ which secretes the shell. The animal is born with the rudiments of its future covering, and by its gradual increase of growth is enabled to push the collar for a space, and from time to time beyond the original margin. In these operations, a thin layer of membraneous and calcareous matter is excreted and deposited, which is gradually thickened by successive layers being laid on within the first, by the repeated protrusions and retractions of the collar. This portion being formed, the animal commences another, and finishes it in the same manner; and the extent of each portion is marked as above. There is not, as has been implied, a regular and alternate deposition of a layer of membrane, and a layer of lime; but, in all shells, the animal and earthy matters are obviously secreted and deposited at the same moment, and in commixture.

Why is the snail found in greater numbers, and thriving better, in chalky districts than elsewhere?

Because chalk is the snail's best food, and the food is the source of the lime of which it forms its shell. Lime is not, however, necessary to be eaten for the perfect formation of the operculum, (or lid of the shell) as is remarked in the Zoological Journal by Mr. Bell; many snails in his possession having formed that part, though during the whole summer they had no access to any preparation of lime.

Why do the land snails vary most in their colours? Because they are most exposed to the operation of light; while those shells, which, within the bodies of their snails are always white, as are also those which live in holes whence they never issue. Another striking proof of the blanching effect of darkness is furnished by some bivalve shells, as scallops, permanently affixed by their lower valve, which is constantly white, while the upper one may possibly be variegated with bright colours.

Why was a certain species of snail reared with much pains among the Romans?

Because they were eaten as great delicacies among epicures. For this purpose, they were kept in sties, and fattened with bran and sodden wine; and on this generous fare they grew occasionally to such a size, that, according to Varro, the shell would hold full ten quarts! The younger Pliny's supper of three snails, two eggs, a barley cake, a lettuce, sweet wine, and snow, was therefore no very spare meal.

Snails are still eaten in great numbers on the continent of Europe, particularly in Lent. In Switzerland they are fed in many thousands together in gardens; in Italy they are much liked; in Paris they are sold in the market; and, in Vienna, they are charged at an inn the same as a plate of veal or beef, or a dish of frogs at a French restaurateur.* The Greeks are also great eaters of land-snails, but they have not the art of fattening them. The usual mode of preparing them for the table is either boiling, frying them in butter, or stuffing them with force-meat.

Why were edible snails introduced into England about the middle of the sixteenth century?

Because of their being recommended for consumptive complaints by the physicians of that day; indeed, snail-water is still to be found in the pharmacopoeia of the last century.

Snails were introduced as above by Charles Howard, one of the earls of Arundel, who brought them from Italy for the cure of his countess. Sir Kenelmi Digby likewise patronised the remedy. Elias Ashmole says, the earl scattered them on the hills about Dorking, in Surrey, and between Albury and Horsley, near Guild

*There is in Brussels a market for frogs, which are brought alive in pails and cans, and prepared for dressing on the spot. The hind limbs, which are the only parts used, are cut from the body with scissors, by the women who bring the animals for sale.

ford. We have noticed, in our Promenade round Dorking, their being on Box Hill, where to this day large snails abound. They were also introduced a few years since into a curious garden in Scotland, where they did not prosper.

Why is the Cornwall mutton of superior flavour?

Because of the nourishment afforded to the sheep by feeding on snails. Thus, the sweetest mutton is reckoned to be that of the smallest sheep, where the sands are scarcely covered with very short grass. "From these sands come forth snails of the turbinated or spiral kind, which spread themselves over the plains early in the morning, and whilst they are in quest of their own food among the dews, yield a most fattening nourishment to the sheep."-Borlase's Hist. Cornwall. Why are snails eagerly sought by the blackbird and the thrush?

Because they are substituted for their summer food, which winter may have destroyed. They break the shells of the snails, by reiterated strokes against some stone; and it is not uncommon to find a great quantity of fragments of shells together, as if brought to one particular stone for this very purpose.

THE MAN-OF-WAR.

Why is a certain worm called the man-of-war? Because it has the skill and knowledge of an experienced navigator, and is in itself a little ship. Its evolutions are according to the winds; it raises and lowers its sail, which is a membrane provided with elevating and depressing organs. When filled with air, it is so light, that it swims on the surface of alcohol, and is at the same time provided with a structure which furnishes it with the necessary ballast. In high winds it descends into the deep. From the under side of the body proceed tubes, 20 feet in length, which wind in a spiral form like a screw, serving at once as anchors, defensive and offensive weapons, air-tubes,

and feelers. It has the colours of the rainbow; its crest or sail is intersected with pink and blue veins; its length is from six to eight inches. The fibres contain a poisonous fluid, which stings like nettles. We abridge these curious facts from a Memoir of Dr. Tilesius, who accompanied Krusenstern in his voyage round the world.

CUTTLE-FISH.

Why does the cuttle-fish differ in structure from other mollusca?

Because it has three hearts-two of which are placed at the root of the two branchiæ; they receive the blood from the body, and propel it into the branchiæ. The returning veins open into the middle heart, from which the aorta proceeds.- Cuvier.

The cuttle-fish was esteemed a delicacy by the ancients. Captain Cook also speaks highly of a soup he made from it; and the fish is eaten at the present day by the Italians, and by the Greeks, during Lent.

Why does the cuttle-fish, when pursued, eject a black inky liquor?

Because it may darken the water, and thus hide itself from its enemies.

It is a completely mistaken notion, that the black fluid of the cuttle-fish is its bile; for the ink-bag is at a considerable distance from the gall-bladder. According to Cuvier, the Indian Ink, which comes from China, is made of the above fluid.

Why are the jaws of the cuttle-fish fixed in the flesh of the animal?

Because there is no head to which they can be articulated. They are of horny substance, and resemble exactly the bill of a parrot. They are in the centre of the lower part of the body, surrounded by the tentacula. By means of these parts, the shell-fish which are taken for food, are completely triturated.