18.
amongst Elm roots exposed on the bank of the
ditch where the soil had broken away. As well
as those under wood Retinella pura, Vitrina
pyrenaica, and Euconulus fulvus were found
associated with mosses.
Away from the ditch the soil is drier
although it is still damp in places. Such
areas retain most of the species listed above,
with the following exceptions: E. obscura,
V. pyrenaica and the Dwarf Snail. In the
drier areas only Door snails, excentrica,
has been collected on moss. Above the wood-
land floor Banded Snails (Cepaea nemoralis)
and Hairy Snails have been observed on
nettles, whilst the Garden Snail (Helix
aspersa) has been seen under ivy and nettles
at the edge of the wood.
It is interesting to note the apparent
association which many molluscs have with
water and it is probably the moist conditions
in the ditch which have facilitated the
development of such a diverse molluscan fauna.
Water is available even in the driest years
because of the high water table, and it is
this feature and the base rich soil indicated
by the Dogs Mercury which have helped dis-
tinguish this wood from others in the area.
My thanks are extended to Dennis Boxley
for information pertaining to the flora
present, and help with identification.
BRIAN CRAIG
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