SOME SNAILS OF THE OCEAN 



Several days after the collecting trip to Apponaug, we again visited 

 Boston; this time to remain a week and study, with the aid of Pro- 

 fessor Parker, the many varieties of marine snails in the different 

 museums of that city. During that time we learned the 

 following valuable and interesting facts concerning these 

 animals : 



The marine snails outnumber all of the other mollusks, 

 and their shells are far more beautiful, those in the 

 tropics having the most gaudy colors imaginable. The 

 animals are all formed on the same plan, although each 

 family has some peculiarity not shared by its relatives. 

 They are found in all parts of the world, those of the 

 tropics, however, being the most brilliantly colored. 

 While the majority of species live either between tides 

 or near low water, there are not a few which live in the 

 abysses of the ocean, and have been obtained by dredging 

 at a depth of three thousand fathoms, which is more than 

 three miles. The average depth at which mollusks are 

 found in any number is about one thousand fathoms. The 

 variability of marine snails is so great that only a few 

 typical forms can be mentioned. 



One of the most curious of marine mollusks is the Dentcdium, or tooth 

 shell, which is a member of the class Scaphopoda. The shells vary from 

 the fraction of an inch to over four inches in length, and in color from 

 white to dark green. The Dentalium burrows in the sand and lies there 

 in a slanting position, the little end being upward and above the sand, 

 for the purpose of respiration. The large end is armed with a number 

 of long tentacles which terminate in small, rounded clubs. These feel 

 about in the sand and catch foramanifera, or minute bivalves, which they 

 convey to the mouth of the animal. The Dentalium has no eyes, but 

 is provided with ears in the form of several vibrating organs. The Scapho- 

 pods serve as food for a variety of other mollusks. In former times, the 

 tooth shells were used for personal adornment, as well as for money, 

 by the Indians of the Pacific coast. At one time a string of twenty-five 



94 



Tooth shell 

 Dentalium ele 

 phantinum. 

 (Tryon.) 



