What is this?

[AlexCole]

1982 300D Turbo.
Beneath the air filter housing, there is a "snorkel". Mine is chrome/shiny metal. It is connected to the bottom of the air filter housing via a male/female push-on connection, with an o-ring in a groove around the male connector to increase friction. The "snorkel" is curved and somewhat wrapped around something next to the engine block, but does not appear to be connected to anything on the non-air-filter end. I can freely move it around when it is disconnected from the air filter housing, but cannot remove it from the engine bay. What is this part, what is its function, and SHOULD it be connected to something on the non-air-filter end? I need a new o-ring for the male connector end, I just have a piece of electrical tape doing the job now. Sorry I don't have a pic, but I put it back together before thinking about it. Thanks, Alex.