The Apple Snails. Flask Snails 



The Noble Flask Shell {A. nobilis, Rve.), has a more ele- 

 vated spire, which gives the shell a squat, pear-shaped outline. 

 The horny olive surface is obscurely banded with brown. The 

 great aperture reveals a pale, unhanded interior, painted on 

 the recurved lip with bright, dark red. Diameter, 4 to 5 

 inches. 



Habitat. — Brazil. 



In several other species the protruding thick lip is strikingl}) 

 banded and coloured. 



The Paper Apple Snail {A. papyracea, Spix) is thin-shelled 

 and black as ink. Diameter, 3 to 4 inches. 



Habitat. — Rivers of Western Brazil. 



The Island Apple Snail {A. insitlariim, d'Orb.) has its green- 

 ish globose body whorl finely striated, and often creased as if 

 hammered. The gaping mouth glows orange red. This species 

 inhabits lakes and brooks, among the stems of water plants. 

 A specimen survived a year's sojourn in a cabinet, reviving 

 promptly when put into water. 



Habitat. — Isles of Parana in the La Plata River. 



Genus POMUS, Humphrey- 

 Lip thin at margin; operculum horny. Inhabits South 

 America, West Indies and Florida. "Idol Shell" is an Indian 

 name in South America, where the shells are venerated. 



The Flattened Apple Snail {P. depressa, Say) is swollen 

 almost to globular form, the spire flattened, the olive-green sur- 

 face banded with narrow lines of darker green and brown, 

 unequally spaced. The aperture is oval and very large, with a 

 thin lip, scarcely flaring. The pit is nearly closed. Length and 

 breadth, ij inches. 



Habitat. — Tributaries of St. John's River, Eastern Florida. 



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