 The process of using love darts in snails is a form of sexual selection . Prior to copulation , each of the two snails ( or slugs ) attempts to " shoot " one ( or more ) darts into the other snail ( or slug ) . There is no organ to receive the dart ; this action is more analogous to a stabbing , or to being shot with an arrow or flechette . The dart does not fly through the air to reach its target however ; instead it is fired as a contact shot . 
