114 THE NAUTILUS. 



We found 20 or more, nearly all full grown of H. tudiciilata and 

 H. Traskii. Right here let nie say that I think snails display exqui- 

 site taste in their choice of a home, at least some varieties do. 



I am as much or more interested in photography than I am in 

 conchology and I have found that the haunts of these humble creat- 

 ures are nearly always in spots that delight the heart of a photo- 

 grapher. Pretty shady nooks, old gnarled trees and stumps, fern 

 lined which by the way, might contain water snails broken down 

 fences, and, overgrown hedges, are places equally attractive to the 

 conchologist and the " disciple of the tripod." I cannot think of two 

 studies that can be pursued more harmoniously than conchology and 

 photography. 



I have yet to experience the pleasure of a trip to the seaside with 

 ray camera and shell basket. 



But, to return to the snails. The flower pot besides being too 

 small was not a very satisfactory place for them. In some way, they 

 would manage to span the distance between the pot and the edge 

 of the dish which was kept full of water, as a means of keeping them 

 at home, and, some of them were constantly escaping. I procured a 

 large cheese box, filled it with leaf-mold, planted several varieties of 

 ferns in it, transferred my snails to their new home. 



In order to keep them there, I put around the box which I had 

 first placed on another box to make it higher, a fence of wire netting 

 about three feet high, and, far enough from the box, so that Mr. 

 Snail could not get out without crawling down to the floor and then 

 up the screen a feat which only a very few have accomplished. 

 Before I got this safeguard I had many long searches for miscreant 

 members, under the bed, and similar places. 



But, in spite of their roving disposition, they seemed fairly com- 

 fortable and happy, sleeping mostly during the day-time, and for- 

 aging at night. They ate a great deal of bread and lettuce, and the 

 ferns shared with them the frequent showers of water which they 

 received. 



As has already been hinted, this suailery of mine is kept in ray 

 bedroom and I have spent many hours late at night and early in the 

 morning, as well as during the day, watching its interesting inhab- 

 itants. 



They are very particular about their personal appearance when 

 they are not hibernating, keeping themselves, or rather their shells, 

 bright and clean by " mouthing " them all over, I believe I have 

 sometimes seen them performing that office for one another. 



