THE SNAIL. $21

they are round, semitransparent, and covered with small
shells, which increase in size according to the growth of
the animal: the addition is always at the mouth, the snail
sending forth from the mantle (or outer covering of the
body) a liquid, which, on exposure to the air, becomes
hardened into shell. The food of the snail consists of the
leaves of plants and trees; it is very voracious, though ex-
tremely particular in its choice. In winter it buries itself
in the ground or retires to a hole, where, in a state of tor-
pidity, it braves the utmost severity of the season.

The common Garden Snail (Helia aspersa) is found in
all quarters of the globe; in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in
Guiana and Brazil, and in the desert of Zahara. The
edible snail (Helix pomatia) is a native of many European
countries, and on the shores of the Mediterranean is re-
garded as a valuable article of food.

As there are a variety of species in every country, it is
of course impossible to fix upon any one in particular, as
the snail mentioned in the Psalms; and indeed this is not
at all necessary, as the allusion is made to a peculiarity
which is common to the whole family. The original word
in Psalm lviii. is ehadbelud, which is derived from a word
signifying a trail, or path, and is, therefore, remarkably

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