In Leviticus 11:30 it is supposed that the word chomet refers to some kind of lizard: the R.V. has 'sand-lizard.' In Psalm 58:8 the word is shablul, of which it says it 'melteth.' It was erroneously supposed by the Jews that by the slime which a snail leaves on its trail it gradually wasted away. The passage simply means that when dead the snail seems to melt entirely away: it is used as a symbol of the wicked passing away.