144 



SEA-SHORE LIFE 



The shell grows to he ahoiit three inches long, and is marked 

 with revolving ridges and transverse furrows, and its outer surface 

 is covered with a velvety brown skin. It is carniverous and readily 

 feeds upon dead animals. 



During the summer its egg cocoons are often found attached 

 to rocks helow low tide level. They consist of a mass of rounded 



Fig. loj ; Rock Snails (Purpura lapillus) devouring barnacles upon a rock at Aunisquam, Mass. 



capsules, yellow in color, all joined at their bases into a hemispher- 

 ical mass They are popularly and aptly termed "sea corn." Each 

 capsule contains a number of eggs, but only a few develop, the 

 more vigorous young devouring the weaker before hatcliiug. 



In England this snail is sold in the markets, but with us it is 

 neglected. The lip of the shell is very apt to be broken in large 

 specimens. 



The Rock Snail, fPurpura lapillus, Fig. 103). This snail 



