288 IN LOWER FLORIDA WILDS 



though some of them are brightly colored they 

 are generally so concealed by confervae that it is 

 difficult to see them. Under projecting rocks or 

 among mangrove roots are two Cypraeas or "mic- 

 ramocks" as they are locally called. These are 

 queens among the mollusks on account of their 

 size and the exquisite beauty of their shells. They 

 are hard to find because the fleshy mantle of the 

 animal covers the shell when the creature is active. 

 There is a number of species of lovely Tellinas 

 which are always beautifully polished, Codakias 

 with orbicular shells, a couple of fine Cardiums 

 and a red Pinna, among bivalves, and the great 

 pink conchs, a handsome Murex, two or three 

 helmet shells and as many Fasciolarias among the 

 gasteropods. The fauna of the southeast coast 

 is much like that of the keys but lacks some of the 

 rock-loving species. 



The curious Janthinas or violet snails are abun- 

 dant in both of these areas and they are some- 

 times washed ashore in immense numbers. The 

 animal exudes a glutinous secretion from a gland 

 in the foot which hardens and forms a float filled 

 with air bubbles, and in this the female lays her 

 eggs. As these floats are attached to the Jan- 



