Our British Snails 67 



some lie under stones or pieces of wood, or in the 

 earth ; others climb shrubs, and in tropical 

 climates even lofty trees. Their haunts vary 

 according to the weather and the season. They 

 come out early in the morning, and after rain. 

 Some bury themselves in moist places during the 

 dry season, or burrow^ under leaves, grass, or 

 stones, often closing the mouths of their shells 

 with a white secretion to prevent evaporation 

 during the period of hibernation . 



The smallest shells, especially of land species, 

 and young imperfect shells should be collected. 



In all cases " live shells," i.e. shells in which 

 the animal is alive, are to be chosen ; but, when 

 these cannot be procured, " dead shells," which 

 have not lost their lustre, or their colour, especially 

 those of rare species, should be preserved. 



With regard to the mode of Preserving Shells. 



1. No attempt should be made to clean them, 

 or to remove the furry skin, more or less thick, 

 with which they are often covered, beyond re- 

 moving with a soft brush any mud or sand 

 adhering to them. 



2. The animals of Land and Freshwater shells 

 may be killed by immersing them for a few 

 minutes in boiling water, after which the bodies 

 may be easily extracted whole with any suitable 

 instrument, e.g., a fork or a pin, according to 

 size. Hot water should not be used with marine 

 shells : it often destroys their lustre. They should 



