The Moon Snail 



33 



adhering mantle is of enormous proportions. So large, 

 when protruded, as to envelop completely the house 

 which was designed to shelter it. Indeed, to see this 

 creature retract its fleshy body is to witness a very 

 amazing feat. It is like that trick of the conjurer 



MOON SNAIL. (PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN THE WATER.) 



where he makes an almost incredible quantity of para- 

 phernalia disappear into his cornucopia. 



The moon snail travels in search of its food either 

 under or over the surface of the sandy bottom. And 

 for a snail it moves with striking rapidity. The pro- 

 verbial slowness of the land snail is not reflected in the 

 actions of its marine relative. Although in these 

 waters it is the greatest enemy of the mussel, it is an 



