78 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



titions ; but, strange to say, the shell, like the 

 cuttle bone of other species, was concealed in 

 the body and only found after the death of the 

 little squid, when the air-chambers caused it to 

 rise to the surface and it was washed ashore. 

 Though diligent search was made at various 

 times, the boys were never able to secure one 

 alive. They are probably extremely delicate 

 creatures, and were killed by the waves and 

 torn from the shell before being cast upon the 

 beach. 



The rich shells of the marine snail lanthina 

 were almost as frequent, the animal in many 

 cases being intact. On the water their appear- 

 ance was extremely beautiful, the rich purple 

 coloring, in various shades and tints, standing- 

 out in strong contrast against the white fairy- 

 like raft of bubbles by which they are kept 

 upon the surface. By pressing the animal, the 

 boys found that the rich purple ink would stream 

 out over their fingers. 



"This ink would make a good dye," said 

 Tom ; " I'm going to put some on my handker- 

 chief and see how long it will stand." 



