In Tuscany they threaten the white snail (la marinella), telling it to thrust out its little horns to save itself from kicks and blows—
"Chióćciola marinella,
Tira fuori le tue cornella,
E se tu non le tirerai
Calci e pugni tu buscherai."
In Tuscany it is believed, moreover, that in the month of April the snail makes love with the serpents, and is therefore venomous; hence they sing—
"Chi vuol presto morire
Mangi la chiocciola d' aprile."[111]
The snail of popular superstition is demoniacal; hence it is also invoked by children in Germany by the name of the funereal St Gertrude—
"Kuckuck, kuckuck Gerderut
Stäk dîne vêr Horns herut."[112]