146 



SEA-SHORE LIFE 



Fig. 105; OYSTER DRILL. 



Long Island Sound. 



coast north of Cape Cod, and occnrs just below Ioav tide level on the 

 Maine shore, although it is usually found in deeper water. When 



empty it is a favorite shell with hermit crabs, 

 and is often dragged long distances from its 

 true habitat. 



The Oyster -Drill, fUrosalpi7ix cinerea, 

 Fig. 105 J, is a destructive little snail, common 

 in shallow water on stony bottoms down to 

 about sixty feet in dei^th; and while it ranges 

 from Florida to Nova Scotia, it is rare and 

 local north of Cape Cod. 



It is most abundant in Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound. 

 The shell is less than one inch long, and the lip is extended out in 

 a projecting snout that serves to protect the siphon of the animal. 

 It is dull brownish-gray, and there are numerous rough, raised, 

 whorls and longitudinal ridges over the shell. The egg cocoons are 

 laid during summer on the under sui'face of dead shells or stones, 

 and are spindle-shaped, resembling little yellow vases made out of 

 parchment. The stems of these little vases are very short, and angu- 

 lar ridges extend along their sides. 



This snail is one of the worst enemies of small oysters and other 

 bivalves. It rasps a small round hole through the shell by means of 

 the sharp, horny teeth of its tongue, aided 

 possibly by the secretion of sulphuric acid. 

 Then having penetrated the shell it sucks the 

 contents out at leisure. Next to the starfish 

 there is probably no worse enemy of the oys- 

 ter than this snail, and its popular name of 

 oyster-drill is well earned. It attacks its vic- 

 tims throughout the year, but fortunately it 

 is unable to drill through the shells of full 

 grown clams and oysters. 



Large numbers of little clam shells that 

 have been drilled by this pest are always to 

 be seen cast up upon our beaches. 



The Mud-Flat Snail, (Nassa obsoleta, 

 Fig. 106 J, is a small snail ranging from 



Tampa, Florida, to Nova Scotia. It is rare north of Cape Cod, but is 

 most abundant on the mud flats of Long Island Sound, which it 

 literally covers over wide areas. 



I# 



Fig. 106; Above: NASSA 



TRIVITTATA. 

 Below: NASSA OBSOLE- 

 TA. Long- Island Sound. 



