The Conch Shells 



Stranded by the tide. One rarely sees in Florida such an illustra- 

 tion of strenuousness. The extended hook is struck into the wet 

 sand, and over the shell rolls; the second stroke flings it in an- 

 other direction. You can see the radula working rapidly as the 

 proboscis is lifted. Obstacles are avoided, corners are turned, 

 wherever possible the conch makes a leap, and at last 

 plunks joyfully into the water. Not seldom does a hand- 

 some specimen escape the amazed collector by jumping out 

 of the boat. 



This handsome "molluscan buzzard," with all its pugnacity, 

 accommodates within its shell a little crab, named by Miss Rath- 

 bun, Pinnotheres siromhi. Perfect amity seems to exist between 

 them. The mutual advantage of this arrangement is not quite 

 clear to me. 



It is possible for northern aquariums to have fighting 

 conchs as tenants. Live specimens have been shipped to 

 Philadelphia in no better wrappings than newspaper, sur- 

 viving the long journey to be studied for months in a jar 

 of sea water. It is true, however, that the exiles refuse food. 

 At least this is the experience of one student. He made 

 every eflfort to supply them. 



The Hawk Wing Conch (S. costatus, Gmel.), found in the 

 West Indies, is 5 to 6 inches long, a heavy ovate shell whose short 

 sharp-pointed spire is decorated on all its whorls with blunt knobs, 

 those on the body whorl very large. The lip is thick and dilated, 

 tapering at both ends. The lining is white or reddish. It 

 requires some effort to see the resemblance to a hawk's wing in 

 the expanded lip of this shell. 



The Angel Wing Conch (5. gallus, Linn.), 4 to 6 inches 

 long, has a long, channeled fmger considerably higher than 

 the elongated, knobbed spire. The shell has a long curved 

 basal stem and the lip flares widely. The exterior is ridged 

 spirally and marked with blotches of orange brown. The 

 aperture is tinged with the same colour. 5. auris-Diana has 

 a similar form. 



Habitat. — Red Sea. 



The other species range from the size of a cocoanut to less 

 than an inch long. They vary from the stout ovate shape of 

 average conchs to slender spindle shape on one hand and 

 typical cone shape on the other. High colouring is com- 



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