12 



many then congregate on land under pieces of wood. Some, 

 however, may be taken at almost any time The land 

 snails having teeth and thickened lips at their apertures, 

 do not gain these generally until almost mature, and before 

 this may prove perplexing. When canals, creeks or mill- 

 races are drawn off, some species may be obtained which 

 are otherwise inaccessible. Fresh water mussels are best 

 obtained by wading, or from a boat, but some of the rarer 

 species will even then escape notice, so that dead shells may 

 prove of value when better ones cannot be obtained. A 

 judicious rubbing with vinegar will fairly restore the lus- 

 trous nacre 



Occasionally sea-shells and others are found far inland. 

 Mr. E. P. Howe recently found a number of specimens of 

 Littorina litorea in the canal east of Syracuse, and I have 

 an uncommon New England sea-shell which was gathered 

 with others at Cross Lake, having been dropped there. 



Limestone regions generally produce the thickest shells, 

 and the water and bottom make a great difference in water 

 species. At Kirkville the shells in the Erie canal are much 

 handsomer than elsewhere in the county ; and in Cross and 

 Onondaga lakes most Unios have a brown epidermis, while 

 other shells are light in color. 



One interesting question is that of the occurrence of fra- 

 gile shells deep down in gravel, sand and clay. Such in- 

 stances are often seen when banks are cut away. Mr. E. B. 

 Knapp has a number of shells taken from the Skaneateles 

 cemetery in digging graves; among them one species not, 

 I think, now found in that town. A full explanation would 

 take time, but in some instances the change in the beds of 

 streams, the filling in of hollows, and the snails' practice of 

 following and feeding upon decaying roots, give a sufficient 

 answer. It is a subject worthy of further study. All 

 snails feed by use of jaws and sharp teeth. Our local bi- 

 valves have two siphons which draw in and throw out cur- 

 rents of water, retaining the solid nutriment, and also act- 

 ing like the gills of a tish. 



The preceding list covers over ten years' work v so that 

 there will probably be very few additions, though some 

 may be expected. I have searched the county from the 

 highest hill-tops, over 2,000 feet above the sea, to the bot- 

 toms of many waters, and give the present results of my 

 knowledge. 



