Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/688

 67-2

��Popular Science Monthly

���Look at it, guess what it is and then read the accompanying article. It isn't a centipede or snake

��which indicates the place where in due time the young individuals developing from the eggs will make their exit. When laying these long strings, the snail goes beneath the surface, and, as the ribbon begins to be formed, it appears above the sand, slowly increasing in length until the whole of its two or three feet of length are formed. Each capsule contains a number of eggs. The family of this creature is repre- sented by about eight species, from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico. The snail's shell is often more than one foot long.

��Have You Ever Found a Thing Like That?

VISITORS to seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast occasionally find in their strolls along the beach, especially after a storm, strange- ly formed objects like that shown in the accompanying pic- ture. What is it? Many a stroller has asked himself that question, without being able to answer it. The first guess usually is that the queer-looking thing is of vegetable origin, probably some sea- weed. Few suspect it to be of animal origin.

This object, which almost has the ap- pearance of a frilled "boa," is the egg-case of Fuhjur Carica, a sea snail.

The egg-case con- sists of a series of flattened capsules, at- tached by one edge to a cord. Each one of the capsules shows, opposite the place of

attachment, a more ^ French soldier

transparent spot, tion duty way up

��X

���Lofty French Observation Point Near Dixmude

ONE of the essential duties of a soldier is to keep constant watch upon the movements of the enemy. High trees and tall buildings are, naturally, the most suitable places for the establishment of observation posts and are given preference wherever they are available. The tree in the picture, which may s*ill be standmg somewhere near L'lX- mude, was used by the French soldiers, perch- ing securely among its top branches, as observation post to good advantage. The tree, a magnifi- cent specimen, tall and of generous girth, made it possible for the French observer to get a fine view of the German lines. A ladder gave access to the observation post. Even a small crib was arranged near the top, where one of the observers is on observa- cou\d sleep, while his

in the tree-top comrade kept watch.

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