COLLECTING 11 



drilled by the file-like tongue, or lingual ribbon, of Polynices, 

 Urosalpinx, or Nassa, which thus reach the animal within and 

 suck out its substance. Another similar species is Polynices 

 (Neverita) duplicata, which extends to the Gulf of Mexico, while 

 P. heros is not commonly found below Hatteras. Crustaceans 

 are abundant on the sandy beach over its whole breadth. Some 

 of the sand-crabs live above tide-mark. Among these is the 

 fleet-footed Ocypoda, which is interesting to watch. Often they 

 go in numbers to the water's edge and throw up mounds, behind 

 which they crouch like cats, watching for whatever prey the tide 

 may bring up. When unable to outrun a pursuer they rush into 

 the surf and remain there until the danger is past. The wet 

 sand is often thickly perforated with the burrows of the sand- 

 hoppers (Orchestia). These often rise about the feet as do grass- 

 hoppers in the fields. 



Hippa talpoida is a remarkable crab, somewhat resembling an 

 egg. It is not likely to be seen unless searched for by digging 

 at the water's edge. It burrows so rapidly that one must be 

 quick to catch it after it is exposed by the shovel. In some 

 places the tests of "sand-dollars" are common. The living 

 animal may be found buried just below the surface at extreme 

 low- water mark. 



The sea-wrack drifted in lines along the shore will repay care- 

 ful examination, for here will be found many things belonging 

 to other shores and deep water. It is often alive with sand- 

 hoppers, which hop away while one searches for less common 

 things. Often the most delicate seaweeds, numerous small shells, 

 worms, polyzoans, etc., will be found there. 



The surface of the sand-beach is strewn with remains of many 

 species, usually beach-worn, but interesting nevertheless as ex- 

 amples of species one would like to find in better condition, but 

 good specimens of which elude ordinary search or are unobtain- 

 able except by dredging. 



Egg-cases form another class of objects which are often 

 gathered with no idea of their identity. Of these the most com- 

 mon are the long strings of saucer-like capsules which contain 

 the eggs of the mollusk Fulgur, those having square edges being 



