Re The Conversions:

“I can only imagine that Capt. Burton alludes to a species of divination once practised in this country, but surely now obsolete, however it may be across the Atlantic. Several old authors give an account of ‘divination by snails,’ in the attempting of which the hearth was covered with white ashes thinly and evenly strewn. A snail being placed amongst these, the erratic lines formed by the creature in its wanderings were presumed to represent words or figures, giving the reply sought by the querist. J. R. S. G.”

Notes and Queries, 1876.