158 
NATURE’S CRAFTSMEN 
“ In the spring the garden snail’s eggs are de¬ 
posited about two inches below the surface of the 
earth. There are anywhere from thirty to one 
hundred of them, and in comparison to the 
mother they are large indeed, being about the size 
of small peas, soft and round and nearly trans¬ 
parent. In about twenty-five days the young 
come forth, looking very much like their mother, 
already having their tiny shells and ready to take 
up the real business of life. 
“ During the dry heat of summer, the land 
snails retire into their shells and close the door by 
a membrane. This odd curtain is another snail 
miracle. It is made by throwing a limy mucous 
out over the opening, much as a soap bubble is 
blown from a pipe. The lime soon hardens, and 
the snail is carefully protected from the elements. 
The same procedure is followed in winter, some¬ 
times as many as five or six layers of membrane 
being formed if the weather is severe. Snails 
have as many lives as a cat. They can stand all 
sorts of rigors and vicissitudes. An instance is 
cited of a pond snail which made a long sea voy¬ 
age packed up in cotton wool. When placed in 
water it promptly revived, came up for air, and 
set about taking in food. 
“ Let me read you a few lines I clipped the 
other day,” and Uncle John produced his ever 
handy note-book: 
