HELIX

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) The name of a Linnaean genus of the Vermes Testacea, characterized by the entire and crescent-shaped opening of the shell, and forming in the system of Cuvier the type of a family of terrestrial and air-breathing Gastropods, including the fenera Vitrina, Draparnaud; Bulinus, Adanson; Pupa,.am.; Chondrus,C\yv.; Succinea, Drap.; and Helix proper, of which our common garden snail. Helix hortensis, is an example. The great vine snail {Helix pomatin, Linn.) formed one of the luxuries of the tables of the ancient Romans, and by peculiar feeding and other treatment was brought to attain an immense size. It is still an article of food in certain cantons in Switzerland and France. The snails do much damage to the vegetables in cultivated grounds, biting off pieces of the leaves by means of a semicircular dentated horny plate, which is affixed to the upper lip. Helix, in Anatomy, is applied to the reflected margin of the external ear. Helix, Helices. In Architecture, the curling stalks or volutes under the flowers in each face of the abacus of the Corinthian capital. [s. 561]