“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.” [Illustration: _Fig. 36._ _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.” “And it is very singular,” observed Mrs. Merton, “that, as the Medina forms a central line of division across the island from north to south, so there is a central chain of hills which stretches across it from east to west, and cuts off what is called the back of the island from the northern part. Newport is the capital of the whole, and is now the only place in the island which returns members to Parliament; though formerly Newtown, which is a hamlet, and Yarmouth, which, you know, is only a very small town, returned also two members each.” They now arrived at Newport, and while Mr. Merton was enquiring for his letters, Mrs. Merton informed Agnes that in the school-room of the Free Grammar School of this town, the conferences were held between Charles I. and the Commissioners appointed by Parliament, which lasted forty days, and ended in the determination of the Commissioners to bring that unhappy King to the scaffold. “Did the Isle of Wight suffer much during the civil war?” asked Agnes.