Evening star., 1944-08-24
This and That
BY Charles r. TrdceUel.
"Hv ~ NsA

Dear Sir:
ITO those Of US who find ourselves un.
fortunately living in apartments under
no pet restrictions, wildlife takes on
new importance and Is Of more interest
now than when We were content and
happy with our homes and the pets that
went with them. I speak for many
others as well rs myself and your
column with its interesting and en-
tightening commentary is very much
enjoyed. I,
Since We were forced ID give up our
collies when coming to Washington
some 1s months ago, 0Gr children have
pestered me every day. for pets. They
enjoy the antics of the Squirrels and
the birds and, wild turtles tbut they are
not pets and at times children can be
very definite about things.
Although knew absolutely nothing
about goldfish, decided that at least
they would be something alive, 50 I
resolutely went to; town and made the
purchase Of two flsh and / snailA The
flsh were, Of course, named, snd Henry
the Housekeeper was thief name given
to the snail. Two days after they were
installed IN 4 bowl on tho window sill,
Henry gave birth to baby snail. Since
the end Of April Henry has given US
eight new babies ii
Henry has a beautiful green fur coat
and the moss begins to grow on the
small snails In q very few days. l still
don't care much for fsh, but Henry
and his/her offspring have afforded us
much amusement and conjecture as to
how snails reproduce. Does the snail
lay eggs in the bowl (the bottom Is
covered with small. rough pebbles) or
does the small snail hatch inside the
shell of the parent snail?
"A polywog was given to my son in
May and although it has grown a little,
1t is still = polywog. He is perfectly
happy and apparently has no desire to
become a frog or toad or whatever
he is supposed to be. He is a little
longer than half inch on the body
with a tail about IN inches long. He
has a frog expression on his face is
mottled medium gray on top, but almost
white on the underside. Will he ever
reach his maturity as long as he stays
In the fish bowl?
"A friend of mine in the country
found four dull, chalk-white eggs about
the size of a bantam egg, only Of an
odd shape-almost flat-rounded at one
end and decidedly pointed on the other.
She found them on the ground in the
woods and has been unable to identity
them. Can you tell me what they are?
Yours truly, P. j."
There are no more interesting crea-
lures for the home aquarium than the
snails
We have always thought that q small
tank of snails alone would make pic
turesque sight, especially If stocked with
the coral red variety. A few green
plants, white sand and some Of these
snails and you have self-running realm
OF supreme interest to any one whose
mind is attuned to such things. Some
persons, unfortunately, do not have such
minds and so they miss lot s
Snails eat fine algae, and also help
clean up food put in for fishes Lettuce
is excellent for them. It is said that
red ramshorn snails fed on raw clam
failed to reproduce, but did so at once
when lettuce was provided.
The water should be on the alkaline
side. When too acid, the shells become
perforated. Plaster Of paris will help
overcome acidity.
Most snails are hermaphrodites-
is, both sexes are present in each In
dividual. Cross fertilization takes place
and eggs are laid. Exceptions are the
Jap snails and the Potomac snals,
which are both viviparous, each being
separately sexed, and bringing forth the
young alive. Actually, the mother re-
tains the young in her mantle until their
shells are hard enough to protect them
from fishes. -. 9
The most beautiful snail is the red
ramshorn or coral snail. Many small
fishes nip OF the beautiful red tentacles,
and 80 kill the snails.
Tadpoles usually are put in d tank in
the fall, and get their legs the next
spring. Sometimes, under aquarium
conditions, they are much slower, but
finally come around to 1t, and some day
leap out ON the floor. A glass cover lid
will prevent this It Is no fun to tread
on something you have worked up great
interest In and some affection for.
Green frogs and bullfroes stay in the
tAdpole stage for about two years, al
though some make their change in 4
year. E~
The eggs mentioQsd by our core.
spondent may be those Of the bob-Whtte.