342 IN LOWER FLORIDA WILDS 



there may be infinite variety, the result in most 

 cases of hybridization. Some of these interme- 

 diates seem to be crosses between half a dozen 

 different forms and having imperfect color features 

 of all. 



One wonders why these shells are so richly 

 painted, for evidently this brilliant color must be 

 a decided disadvantage, if not actually disastrous. 

 I have seen thousands of fresh dead shells lying on 

 the ground which had been broken by the beaks 

 of birds for the succulent animal within. Usually 

 these were the more brightly colored specimens; 

 rarely have I seen a dark, dull colored shell broken 

 in this way, thus proving that death loves a 

 shining mark. This apparently is an argument 

 in favor of protective mimicry. The birds see the 

 bright snails and destroy them; they do not see 

 the dull colored ones. Do the brilUantly colored 

 snails rely on their shells for protection only to be 

 deceived ? 



Even to one of no especial interest in natural 

 history the sight of large, handsome arboreal 

 snails clinging to the trunks or branches of trees is 

 startling, but to the enthusiastic conchologist it is 

 simply thrilling; it fairly turns his head. At the 



