second week in August. If these are the very same individuals brought here in 1882 or 1884, they cannot at the present time be less than eighteen years old, and may be a good deal older, for they were all full-grown, or very nearly so, when first brought here. H. pomatia is not, as far as I am aware, indigenous to any part of Suffolk, even on the chalk, and the soil here is by no means of a calcareous nature, but consists of sharp flinty gravel and sand. When full-grown the shell of this species is so thick and strong as to be proof against the hammering process resorted to by the Thrush, and I doubt whether the jaws of the Hedgehog would be able to crack it. Except among insects, it seems to have few enemies. From its large size, H. pomatia is well suited to the vivarium, for its ways and doings are so much more easily and conveniently observed than is the case with smaller species. The laying and hatching of the eggs, growth of the young, and the elaborate preparation for the winter made by this Snail by burying itself just beneath the surface of the soil, and constructing a sort of temporary operculum, are all interesting processes to watch.—G.T. Rope (Blaxhall, Suffolk).
ARACHNIDA.
Collecting in Australia.—Perhaps the most numerous group of Australian Spiders are the Epeiræ. But, though there are undoubtedly very many species, it is still my opinion that the number tabulated by Herr Koch in his work on Australian Spiders might be greatly reduced. Of course, it is foolish to censure one so immeasurably more conversant in the subject, but I think I am right in saying that specimens which have been bottled some months, and which have travelled all the way to Germany, are rather likely to mislead the describer, and tend to the enumeration of too many species. What is wanted out here is some collector thoroughly acquainted with the subject, who will be able to spend all his time in the study, and so achieve better results. Of course, some good work is being done by the authorities of the Australian Museum, and also by some few private individuals; but these, as a rule, are not able adequately to publish the results of their work. If some institution, such as the South Kensington Museum, or other, were to send a collector to spend some years in Australia, I think it would be found that there is still more to be done than has ever yet been anticipated. Practically speaking, there are no real workers in Australia, and consequently the subject is rather neglected. It is not only to investigate
