ON (!OLLKCTIN(i SHKLLS. 281 



becomes great, and the variety and beaut}^ discoverable in the 

 almost endless varieties make this class one of great interest to 

 the collector. These mollusks inhabit lakes, rivers and canals. 

 Stagnant Avater is unfavorable to them. They afford abundant 

 food for muskrat and mink, who collect piles of shells on the 

 shore where they bring the mollusks to feed upon them. The 

 shells left by the muskrat sometimes serve as a resort for the 

 collector who is not critical to have the best of specimens, while 

 they should serve to point out to him that there are good spec- 

 imens, alive, not far distant. Except in shallow portions of 

 rivers it is sometimes difficult, however, to find mussels ; but 

 where the water is not so deep but that a person may wade in it 

 with security, it is comparatively eas}'^ to discover them. Thej^ 

 will usually be found partlj^ buried in the mud or gravel, only 

 enough of the shell projecting to enable the moUusk to extend 

 the siphons of his breathing apparatus into the water above 

 him. A little practice will enable the collector to detect the 

 projecting shell. In lakes and ponds, where the water is not too 

 deep, the collector may readily discover the objects of his search 

 from a boat. 



Having thus in general terms given such suggestions as will 

 enable the collector to seek shells understandingly, it will now 

 be proper to speak more particular!}^ of collecting. It may be 

 doubted whether there is really such a thing as a " rare " species. 

 The fable continually disappears in reference to forms once so 

 considered. Hence intelligence and good judgment will usuall}^ 

 enable a persevering collector to obtain a reasonable number of 

 examples of any object to be found in his region, belonging to 

 recent fauna and flora. The following rules of action are 

 essential : — 



1. Never rest satisfied until you have found the best examples 

 of a species which 3- our time and opportunities will allow. 



2. Never collect imperfect or immature specimens, unless they 

 exhibit some character making such a step desirable. 



3. Having found a station which produces the finest specimens, 

 study it carefully, that you may the more easily recognize such 

 surroundings again. 



4. If specimens are abundant collect plenty, and the work on 

 that species will be done at once, save as you meet with desirable 

 varieties. 



5. Remember that if your specimens are good and clean, it 

 will always give you an advantage in exchanges as soon as cor- 

 respondents begin to recognize this fact. Never pick up a poor 

 specimen with the remark, " this will do for exchange," if a good 

 one can possibly be had. 



Land Shells. The onl}^ apparatus needed in the field is the 

 following: — One or two small bottles, 1 oz. and 2 oz., half filled 



