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accumulate towards high water mark. Particular circumscribed 

 areas, at certain times, may be seen on close examination to be 

 strewn with small shells, some microscopic; this nhdl sand is 

 in great request, and should be gathered by lightly scraping it- 

 together by a lath or knife-blade ; transfer to a bag. The 

 coarser material may be removed by sifting. On sprinkling 

 the shell sand on the palm of the hand, there should appear 

 few grains of sand, the bulk should be small entire shells. 



Snail shells, not having a natural polish, may be cleaned as 

 follows : — Place in cold water, boil, drain off water, add cold 

 water, and remove animal by a bent pin or cobbler's awl. 

 Take care to return to the interior of the shell the horny or 

 stony lid which closes the aperture of the shell when the 

 animal is withdrawn within it ; plug in the operculum, as this is 

 called, with cotton wool. Shells having a natural polish should 

 not be boiled, but may be buried in sand, and after the animal 

 . has rotted away, washed with cold water. 



The animals of mussel and cockle shells may be killed by 

 immersion in boiling water. Taken from the water, the valves 

 gape widely ; dry inside and outside, close the valves by the 

 pressure of the thumb and fingers of one hand, and wind 

 a moistened thread or tape two or three times around the 

 shell and tie. Small examples of snails and other shells may 

 be dried in sand. A few living specimens of each kind should 

 be preserved in spirit. Homoeopathic bottles are useful to keep 

 small specimens distinct. 



Land Snails abound most among craggy rocks of the hill 

 country, and may be found among the crevices of rocks or 

 under large stones, or collections of damp leaves. 



Pbeshwater Snails and mussels occur in most waters, some 

 living on the aquatic plants, others buried in the bottom mud. 

 They may be collected by hand, but more conveniently by 

 means of a perforated tin-pannikin fixed to the end of a stick. 

 After scraping over the bottom with this dredge, wash by 

 shaking in water, examine residue, and transfer shells to box 

 or bottle. 



The after treatment for the land snails, freshwater snails, 

 and mussels is the same as for sea snails and cockles. 



Poltzoa are thrown up on sea beaches, especially from deep 

 water ; some have the aspect of delicate seaweeds, others of 

 corals. The horny flexible kinds are generally grey or light- 

 brown, reddish if alive, curl inwards on drying. Individual 

 cells require hand magnifier to bring out details. Many of this 

 class of animals are parasitic on seaweeds (especially on root- 

 like bases), and encrust shells and stones. Information as to 

 the live animak much needed. 



