70 
THE NATURALIST’S GUIDE. 
to render its separation from the rock without injuring 
the shell extremely difficult, — removed with a sliding 
motion. 
Many species may be found buried in the mud and sand 
below high-water mark. The exact locality where these 
are hidden may be determined by searching for their 
breathing-holes on the surface of the mud or sand ; then, 
by carefully removing a few inches of the soil, the shell 
may be detected. Numerous species may be taken in 
deep water by dredging, or with a rake, such as is used in 
gathering oysters, etc. 
A great many shells may be procured just as they are 
cast on shore from the action of the waves; these must 
be washed in fresh water and dried. The different species 
of smaller fresh-water shells may be found upon rocks, 
aquatic plants, and on the surface of the mud. They 
should be placed in alcohol. The larger species — such 
as the mussels — maybe taken by dredging. Numerous 
shells of mussels may be found at the entrances of the 
holes of the muskrats ; of these the collector may take his 
choice, as many of them are in excellent condition for the 
cabinet. 
The land shells, or snails, may be taken from the differ- 
ent plants upon which they feed, or from under stones or 
logs, especially in damp places. The smaller species should 
be carefully removed with tweezers, as they are very fragile, 
and placed in alcohol. 
Preserving Shells, — It is well to preserve in alcohol 
numbers of all species of shells containing the animal. To 
remove the contents from shells that are to be dried for 
the cabinet, boil them a few moments, and clean them 
with a bent pin or wire. The contents of the different 
species of bivalves may be removed with a knife without 
boiling, as by this method the shell retains its color much 
better. The bivalves should have their shells closed and 
