WHEN a live shell is found, it would soon 

 become offensive, unless the animal were taken 

 out. To perform this, nothing more is requi- 

 site than to put the shell into a kettle of wa- 

 ter, and let it heat gradually until it boils. 

 After a few minutes, the shell should be taken 

 out, and put into a bucket of cold water; the 

 animal will then shrink, and may generally 

 be shaken from the shell ; but if it should still 

 adhere, it may be extracted with a crooked pin 

 or hook, great care being taken not to injure 

 the mouth, which is commonly the most ten- 

 der part *. 



* The animal is sometimes removed from the shell by bury- 

 ing it in the earth, for two or three weeks : when this method 

 is adopted, the shell should be carefully washed to destroy the 

 offensive smell arising from the decomposition of the animal. 



