“I am sorry to say, however, that they are found, in great abundance, in many places; and sometimes they appear so suddenly, and in such immense quantities, as to give rise to the idea that they must have fallen from the clouds. I do not know their popular name, but naturalists call them _Helix virgata_. They are remarkable for the thinness of their shells, and they are so small that two or three have been found adhering to a single blade of grass.”
“Ah! mamma,” cried Agnes, laughing, “one might almost fancy you saw me pick up these very shells; for I found them both sticking to one blade of grass, and I was quite delighted with their thin, delicate shells. I am only sorry they are so common.”
“To console you, I must add that they are only common in the South of England, in warm, open situations; and they are generally found in company with the other little shell you have in your hand. That is called _Bulimus articulatus_: and both kinds are found in such quantities on the downs in the South of England, that they are said to give the sheep that feed on the downs their peculiar flavour; as the sheep eat them with every blade of grass they take.”
_a, b. Helix virgata._ _c, d. Bulimus articulatus._ ]
“I remember the name of _Bulimus_,” said Agnes. “I think we saw some shells called by that name in the splendid collection of Mr. Cuming, that you told me laid eggs as large as a pigeon’s; and, indeed, we saw some of the eggs.”
“That was a species of _Bulimus_ only found in the torrid zone; but the genus is a very extensive one, and, I believe, contains nearly a hundred and fifty species.”
They now heard the wheels of the carriage, and stood still till it overtook them. They were soon seated, and advanced rapidly over a very fertile country, till they came in sight of the Medina; which looked like a silver riband, winding through the country in a broad line of shining light. Agnes was delighted to see this river again, as it appeared to her like an old friend. “I am quite satisfied, now,” said she, “that we have been all round the island; for here, I find, we have arrived at the same point from which we set out.”
“The Medina,” said Mr. Merton, “rises at the foot of St. Catherine’s Down, near Black Gang Chine; and it divides the island so nearly into two equal parts that it is said to derive its name from the Latin word _media_, which signifies the middle.”