INLAND MOLLUSKS 

 Directions for Collecting and Preparing. 



By V. Sterkf. 



Our land and fresh-water mollusca are very interesting 

 objects of study, not only for their anatomy, physiology, life 

 history, habits and classification, but also for their geographical 

 and local distribution and their variation. 



In Ohio, we have over three hundred species, with many 

 varieties and local forms, but from a large part of the state the 

 fauna is still insufficiently known. Good work can be done 

 anywhere, toward an approximately complete survey. Besides, 

 in working up the ecology of various places, the mollusks 

 deserve consideration as well as any other group of animals. 



LAND SNAILS. 



These are found living in woods, copses, along old fences 

 and railway embankments, swamps and marshes (especially 

 their borders), banks of rivers and creeks above high water 

 mark. They are generally more common on hillsides than on 

 low ground and rocky slopes, especially of limestone, are often 

 wonderfully rich. During the day, in fair weather, they are 

 generally in their retreats, coming out at night, in the mornings 

 and evenings and often on damp, dark days and after rains. 

 Occasionally they ascend trees and other plants. As a 

 rule, they will be found under and about old logs and stumps 

 and in their cavities, under loose bark, pieces of wood, stone 

 slabs and bricks, in crevices of rocks, old stone heaps, etc. 

 Many are on the ground, under dead leaves and among thick 

 plant growth. Some Succinea are frequently found along 

 ditches, ponds and lakes, and often on reeds and rushes standing 

 in water. 



During winter, they hibernate, either in the same places, 

 or buried in soft earth, muck, etc., often assembled in large 

 numbers. 



A very handy tool for collecting is a small, strong hoe, 

 especially the "Ferris hoe." The blade of a garden hoe is 

 trimmed to a point in the middle and thus made heart-shaped, 



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