70 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



to render its separation from the rock without injuring 

 the shell extremely difficult, — removed with a sliding 

 motion. 



Many species may be found buried in the mud and sand 

 below high-water mark. The exact locality where these 

 are hidden may be determined by searching for their 

 breathing-holes on the surface of the mud or sand ; then, 

 by carefully removing a few inches of the soil, the shell 

 may be detected. Numerous species may be taken in 

 deep water by dredging, or with a rake, such as is used in 

 gathering oysters, etc. 



A great many shells may be procured just as they are 

 cast on shore from the action of the waves; these must 

 be washed in fresh water and dried. The different species 

 of smaller fresh-water shells may be found upon rocks, 

 aquatic plants, and on the siuface of the mud. They 

 should be placed in alcohol. The larger species — such 

 as the mussels — may be taken by dredging. Numerous 

 shells of mussels may be found at the entrances of the 

 holes of the muskrats ; of these the collector may take his 

 choice, as many of them are in excellent condition for the 

 cabinet. 



The land shells, or snails, may be taken from the differ- 

 ent plants upon which they feed, or from under stones or 

 logs, especially in damp places. The smaller species should 

 be carefully removed with tweezers, as they are very fragile, 

 and placed in alcohol. 



Preserving Shells. — It is well to preserve in alcohol 

 numbers of all species of shells containing the animal. To 

 remove the contents from shells that arc to be dried for 

 the cabinet, boil them a few moments, and clean them 

 with a bent pin or wire. The contents of the different 

 species of bivalves may be removed with a knife without 

 boiling, as by this method the shell retains its color much 

 better. The bivalves should have their shells closed and 



