The Blind Shells. Tube Shells 



snails. A quantity of this species was uncovered in dry sand 

 under a piece of driftwood on the beach at the extreme end of 

 Long Island. 



It is incomprehensible to some people that grown-up men 

 can spend time searching for shells so small they are scarcely 

 visible to the unaided eye. "Too small to putter with," is the 

 ultimatum. Such people cannot understand the fact that to 

 the mind that grasps the limits of the great animal group, Mollusca, 

 no family, however small in size or scope, is insignificant. In 

 fact, each species and variety is big with meaning. It is only 

 small people who fail to grasp this fact. Only the ignorant can 

 think the naturalist, in the field or the laboratory, is wasting 

 time. 



C. crebricinctum, Cpr., is red-brown, with dark streaks 

 running lengthwise across the eight close rings. The tip is 

 pointed. Length, \ inch. 



Habitat. — Southern California. 



C. Californicum, Dall, is a narrow curved shell with very 

 fine rings. Length, scarcely to inch. 



Habitat. — San Diego, Cal. 



C. Cooperi, Smith, J inch long, is cross ridged, which gives 

 it considerable beauty under a lens. It is found in New England 

 and off Long Island. 



C. nitidum, Stmps., is a very swollen form contracted at 

 both ends; the shell is shiny and pale brown. Length, tV inch. 



Habitat. — Florida. 



170 



