Hi James,

Sounds like you've found one of the Polygyridae, perhaps genus Mesodon, or
Triodopsis. Your description could fit several species. An image would greatly
facilitate ID.

I'd suggest you nuke it in the microwave. Put it in a sandwich (there's that
word again!) bag first to contain any spattering. I do mine 3-4 at a time, and
pull the bodies gently using forceps while still hot. Sometimes they pop out
entirely in the microwave. Use a soft toothbrush under running water to clean
the exterior, and be sure to flush out the interior as well. It might take
some practice, but a totally clean, freshly collected polygyrid is a thing of beauty.

Ken Zentzis
Wichita, Kansas

James M Cheshire wrote:
>
> To those that responded: Thanks very much for the info
> on the "sandwichensis" shells. I greatly appreciate it.
> Now a question for the entire list. While out walking the
> other day, I came across a land snail in the woods. It is about
> the same size as am american nickel, and is translucent brown.
> ( but that is hard to tell, because of the animal ). It looks quite like
> it could be in the family Helicidae. Lip is thin, but forms a white
> "ring"
> around the aperture. Umbilicus is partially closed by the lower lip.
> Vertical striations cover the whole shell, but they vanish at the apex.
> There is a tiny, white tooth on the inside roof of the aperture. There is
> a shallow,
> white suture. Can anybody tell me what this is? I found it on a leaf of
> wild ginger
> early in the afternoon in a deep central Ohio forest. Oh, yes, does
> anyone have any
> suggestions on how to clean land snails without a mess??
>
> Thanks,
> James