TOM AND THE MAN-OP-WAR. l(ft 



bottom of a shelving bank among some large 

 shrub-corals. The great mollusk seemed almost 

 elephantine as it glided along the smooth sur- 

 face, its large proboscis, like the trunk of an 

 elephant, extending far before it. Its mound- 

 like shell seemed covered with a checkered 

 cloth ; and, indeed, this is the soberest part of 

 the Cassis, the gorgeous colorings being upon 

 the under surface or shield-like face which drags 

 over the mud. 



Tom, who stood on the bows of the boat, 

 swaying to and fro, suddenly tumbled over into 

 the gulf. As the ripples cleared, the boys could 

 see him far below, peering cautiously among the 

 coral branches. Dick plunged in after him, and 

 soon both boys had deposited the great conch in 

 triumph in the boat. It proved a grand speci- 

 men for the aquarium. The great conches, 

 when in the cabinet or on the mantel, are hand- 

 some objects, but they are perfect marvels of beau- 

 tiful coloring when first taken from the water. 



"You'll find plenty of crabs and things in 

 this," said Long John, hauling a little field of 

 floating gulf- weed alongside. 



12 



