xxviii IN TROD UCTION, 



Collecting. — The requisites for collecting our land and 

 fresh-water shells are as simple in construction as they 

 are few in number. A net of coarse canvas, or better 

 still, a scoop made of copper-wire gauze, and having 

 a zinc rim fitted with a socket by which it can be 

 attached to a pole or a walking-stick ; a plentiful 

 supply of pill-boxes of various sizes ; a wide-mouthed 

 bottle or two, with tightly fitting corks ; and a pocket 

 lens for examining minute species, will complete the 

 collector's kit. Aquatic species may be taken by 

 sweeping with the net or scoop among the water- 

 plants which float on the surface or grow on the sides 

 of ponds, rivers, and ditches. Those which bury 

 themselves in the mud can be obtained by scraping 

 along the bottom with the scoop, which should then 

 be moved to and fro on the surface of the water till 

 the mud has escaped through the gauze, leaving the 

 shells behind. 



Very little need be said here respecting the hunting- 

 ground of the Conchologist, as the habitat or place of 

 abode of each species will be given when the animal 

 and shell have been described. I can give no better 

 advice to the young collector than bid him search 

 everyzvhere, and, literally, "leave no stone unturned." 

 Dry gravelly soils, pine woods, and bogs, are, how- 

 ever, as a rule, to be avoided, though in them, even, 

 some species may be found. The best time to look 

 for land snails is during, or immediately after, rainy 

 weather. It is not necessary that the Conchologist, 

 when on a collecting excursion, should waste his time 

 in attempting to name the specimens he finds ; this 

 can be better and more conveniently done at home ; 



