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 strikingly 

 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. insularum, 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 Riveri 



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, i i inches. 



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



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