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CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN 1
Tre |) \ as : \| 11 \ r 4 \
5 ih | WVAY sal y January 1st for the calander
aH) re ae that you\do not want to let your member- boo gee 2 to do, all f that all year long Bookkeeping.
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NOTICE: COA dues are now due o tear, please keep cur ship lapse, and we are
With this issue, our rangyp anystutbdd SL tan we will try to make sev- eral introductions at once. Tha ng the case let's begin with a statement of the projected editorial policy of the Bulletin:-
We feel that our most important purpose should be as a news- letter for our own organization, presenting a quarterly review of the past, present and future activities of COA.
Because of the Geographical dispersion of our membership we shall introduce a system of mail balloting to cover all points to be voted on at our Annual Meeting Business Sessions, these will appear in time to be mailed back to the Secretary, who will cast those votes at the meeting.
Since many of our members do not have at their fingertips large and extensive libraries, we intend to review all new books and publications in the Malacological field, and on some occasions even older ones, in order that individual members and clubs may procure those books etc. which will best serve their purposes, without depleting budgets on less useful items.
We wish to present articles by all of our members, particularly, those concerned with observations, field trips, field notes, methods of curating (that's a very elegant word which really means putting things away so that they can be located in a reasonable time, and so that one will have some understanding of what one has when it's found), methods of preparing displays, and cleaning one's catch. Please don't feel shy or embarassed because you're not an Irving Wallace or a Henry Pilsbry, send your articles to the editor in your own words -- tell us all just as you would tell someone over a cup of coffee after the local shell club meeting, and we'll all enjoy it and benefit from it.
We will try to present some information about shell club activit- ies around the country, especially as many of us travel about a great deal it might be that our visit to an area would coincide with a meeting of the local shell club, and it's always great fun to meet new members of the leg- ion of the "Shell Shocked",
Now just a short statement about what the Bulletin is not and Should Never become. We will not publish descriptions of or advance notice of new species or other taxa, by whomever described, Veliger, Nautilus etc., are more appropriate to this. We will not reprint any material from other publications without crediting the original source and NEVER without spec- ific permission to reprint. We shall not carry any articles about shell- craft, innacurate or downright silly material because the author has not reached voting age (negative age snobbism is out of place in any publication not devoted to that particular genre) and as a special example of your edit- or's own prejudices - NO POETRY by people who do not have an understanding of meter, scansion, or the English Language as defined by the editor's own rather narrow view of it!
The foregoing will tell you what to expect from future issues of this Bulletin, and, now let me introduce myself; I'm Frank Nelson, book and shell collector, interes- ted in archaeogastropoda, Volutidae, Molluscan Paleontology, good food, Anthony Trollope and his writings, Oriental Art, Linguistics, the Human Condition, and a football Nf! also self appointed guardian of the art of Poetry in the English Language.
- 2-9
Send your letters and articles to me at 95-2) 110th Street, Richmond Hill, New York 11419 -- please keep the letters and articles coming in, we need them, and you must realize that this is your paper and it is the responsibility of all of us to keep it alive and growing. Keep in mind that an editor is just the Human exten- sion of his paste-pot and shears.
‘In search of the elusive Haliotis walallensis" by Robert McMillen and John Phillips
Having been a commercial abalone diver for 13 years I have become extremely familiar with the habits of the various species of Haliotis living in our Southern California waters. Perhaps the rarest of our local Abalone is the Flat Abalone (Haliotis walallensis, Stearns 1899), and this species is generally collected north of Point Arguello; however,I have found a few specimens in deep-water ( 70 feet plus) | off Jalama State Park ( Between Point Concepcion and Point Arguello), Point Concepcion, and at Coho Anchorage ( just south of Point Concepcion). This abalone seems to be
very shy and spends it's entire life clinging to the undersides of large, flat boulders and sometimes under ledges on rock reefs; it is extremely rare on the tops of rocks | or reefs. The Flat Abalone is a comparitively gregarious species, in that you will generally find 6 to 12 specimens living together under a good sized boulder. Its food seems to consist of dead drift kelpthat finds its way under the boulders or ledges via currents or wave action. It is definately one of the world's most beautiful Abalone, as it comes in a variety of striking colors and the external surface of the body whorl is highly imbricated, thus giving it a scaly appearance. Marine boring worms delight in attacking this species, and the larger specimens of Haliotis walallensis will almost always be eaten away in the spire area by these worms. The shell itself of Haliotis walallensis is not so sturdy as that of the other local Abalones and special care sh- ould be taken when cleaning this species, especially when you are using a strong bleach solution for the loosneing of marine encrustations. If they are left in a bleach solution for much longer than one hour the shell bevins topeel off in layers in the internal nacre; the external shell will also develop a chalky, crumbling ap- pearance and in some cases the complete shell can be crushed and ground into a dust with pressure from a closed fist.
I have spent many years diving our offshore Channel Islands, and I have never collected Haliotis walallensis untill just recently ( November 1970 ) when I found it living in 50 feet of water, under large, flat boulders off Talcott Shoals, on the inside cf Santa Rosa Island; and also in 110 feet of water, under large, flat boulders, off Tyler's Bight, on the seaward side of San Miguel Island. Out of 4O spec- imens collected in both localities the largest specimen measured ) 3/8 inches in length and the majority of the shells were between 2's and 3 inches in length. The largest coastal specimen collected was taken by myself in 70-80 feet of water off Jalama State Park; it measured 5 3/l inches. Maximum size on this species is probably 6 in.
In closing I would like to state that it is extremely important when collect- ing Haliotis walallensis for you the collector, to always return the boulders you have overturned back to their original position on the bottom; this insures no environ- mental change for marine life on or beneath the boulder.
( I can only say that the last paragraph should be a guide to the behavior of all of us when collecting. Ed. )
For those members who have not pitended any of ce COA tad meetings we are including in the first edition of our Bulletin The Constitution and the By-Laws of the Conchologists of America, this is done for several reasons, not the least of which is to make you aware of the aims, goals, and rules of COA, and to make it poss- ible for those of you not able to attend a meeting to vote intelligently, or to pre- ‘sent motions for the business meetings in absentia.
ari Fox CONSTITJTION OF THk VONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA
ARTICL&E I : NAME AND PURPOSK. the name of this organization shall be the Conchologists of America. Its purpose shall be to unite shell collectors and clubs in the United States and promote conservation and interest in shell collecting. The emphasis of this organ- ization shall be on CONCHOLOGY rather than on Malacology.
ARTICLE II : MEMBERS
Any person interested in Mollusca may become a member.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS.
The officers of the Club shall be: President, Vice President, and Secret- ary-Treasurer. This group, plus the immediate past President, forming the Executive Committee, shall make provisions for meetings of the organization. Besides the traditional duties of the office, the Secretary -Treasurer shall submit a report
at the annual meeting consisting of the yearly business and financial transactions.
ARTICLE IV : ELECTION OF OFFICERS. All officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting to serve for the ensuing year. At the annual meeting, the presiding officer shall appoint a Nominating committee of three members to report nominations at that meeting. Nominations ma;
also be made from the floor at the time of the committee report.
ARTICLE V : ANNUAL MEETING. The time and place of the Annual Meeting shall be designated each year by the incoming Executive Comnittee.
ARTICLE VI : DJES. There shall be annual dues of such sum as the By-laws may from time to time provide. They hsall be payable in advance.
ARTICLE VII: BY-LAWS By-laws may be proposed at the annual meeting by the executive committee, or by motion from the floor. Their adoption will be by the majority of members in
attendance at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION. The constitution may be ammended at the annual meeting, by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance at the annual meeting.
Spe ee BY-LAWS 1. The organization shall meet annually to receive reports of the officers for the past year, elect and install officers for the ensuing year and trans-
act any other business that may arise.
2. A news letter shall be sent periodically to members covering club act- ivities, and for the exchange of thoughts, ideas and experiences in the field
of Conchclog’. a. Dues shall be twe dollars unmialls.
lh. A quorum shall consist of five members, the executive officers or their
representatives and those members in attendance at the annual meeting.
The dues article is open to annual review, at the June 1973 meeting it was voted that the dues for the year 1973-7) would be Three Dollars, dues will be payable on Jan. ist of each year. Subsequently the dues provision will be an article of business at each annual meeting.
As we noted above there have been several other thoughts regarding the rules and regulations of the club that have been discussed from time to time, and part of the introduction to this first issue was devoted to that.
We also acknowledge that the constitution above does not have vast amounts of Legalese language about it, not one single word of Latin, not too many words of English, and is really intended to be an organizing document open to revision as time goes on to meet the needs of a growing organization. Please let us know what your thoughts about it, have we omitted any points that you feel should have been made part of it, or did we not cover anything well enough, or too well. Keep us informed. teeHeeddHedHHeee: =TREASURER'S REPORT , April 30th 1973 ssHRRHHRHEHRRERAHEHAdHAdE
RECEIPTS : Memberships Individual 1441 Clubs 5
Clubs with Membership as of April 30, 1973 are: Argonaut Trail Shell Club
Conchological Section of Buffalo Museum of Science Chico Shell Club
Greater St. Louis Shell Club
Northern California Malacozoological Club.
EXPENSES 3: Membership Cards $ 40.00 Printing 35.8h Stamps 48.00 Supplies be55
146 Z Dc eO0= D <92200
BALANCE 3 $162.61
Respectfully Submitted Dorothy Janowsky, Secretary/Treasurer
ee A Report of the 1973 Convention , by our President Mr. Kirk Anders.
The delightfully British Bahamas was the setting for the 1973 convention for the Conchologists of America. Although it wsa wrought with small disasters (such as the huge ocean liner we were scheduled to hold the convention on - blowing up, just small things like that).
After all was said and done, we flew over to Freeport and held our conven- tion in the modern and very nice Hotel right next to the International Bazaar and the largest Casino in the Western Hemisphere.
Organizational Meetings and cocktail parties were the order of the day, and everyone got to know everyone else. Parties were slipped in whenever possible, between meetings, parties at the beach, shelling, etc., etc.. Papers were presented, slide lectures entertained everyone, and we had a most successful shell Auction, to raise badly needed funds. New organizations reed time to grow and develop, and make small errors along the way, but, for being so young, EVERYONH really had a wonderful time, and the misfortunes were shoved into the b xkground, and the good predominated.
I wish to thank the attending membership for voteing me President for the 1973-7) period. I'm also happy to note that the selection for our 197) convention is close to my home town of Seattle. I'm looking forward to seeing many more people at this convention, and know that it will be even more successful than last. See uoy there!
SHIRE RE HHH EHH EHH HEHEHE HHA HEHEHE EEE HBB HEEEHEHEGHEHGEHHHEREE Minutes of the Second Conchologists of America Convention
The second convention of the Conchologists of America, held at the Cast- aways Hotel in Freeport, Bahamas, officially opened at 10:00AM on May 12th 1973 with the start of our first business meeting, 26 members were present.
In her introductory remarks our President Bette Rachlin briefly outlined the background of our organization and the details of its formation in October 1972. The idea of a nation wide organization devoted to the interests of the shell collector was conceived many years ago by John Paduano, an avid collector who resides in New- port, Rhode Island. Last year he was able to see this idea become a reality as he hosted the initial convention of COA. His regrets were conveyed that he was unable to attend this year's convention because of poor health. Mrs. Rachlin also spoke of the purpose of COA, which is to encourage the exchange of ideas and information among conchologists and to promote conservation, both in our own collecting habits and on a larger scale.
The minutes of last year's meeting were read and accepted. The treasurer's report. was given and accepted with the suggestion that member shell clubs be listed.
A report on the progress of the Constitutional Committee was given by Carl Erickson. He presented the draft of the Constitution and By-laws which was discussed and, with minor changes was accepted unanimously.
A motion was made to increase dues in order to compensate for the higher costs of printing and postage. It was voted to raise the dues to $3.00 per year as of Jan. 1st 197, and to have all dues payable on January 1st of each year.
In order that we might become better acquainted with each other, the members then individually introduced themselves to the group, giving a brief account of his or her interests and introduction to shell collecting.
A nominating committee for officers for 1973-197 was called for. Volunteers
=the
Margaret Teskey, Arthur Merrill, and Edith Oetzell were requested to prepare a slate to be presented at the next day's meeting.
Having concluded all old and new business, Mrs. Rachlin then turned the floor over to Kirk Anders who had several slide presentations and papers planned for the remainder of the meeting. To start the program Kirk showed a series of slides taken at the first COA Convention. Scenes of us shivering our way along the beach in Rhode Island brought back many pleasant memories, but also made some of us look forward even more to the warm Bahamian waters. Views of some of Newport's magnificent mans- ions were shown and there were many group shots of our founding members, all but one of whom were present at this year's convention.
A fascinating paper on the Cypraeidae of South Africa was presented by Rohert Morrison. He spoke primarily of the newlynamed Cypraea cruikshanki,kilburn, and had a specimen of this rare and unusual cowrie with him for all to admire.
The final presentation of the day was " Shelling in Bonaire " a slide lecture by Kirk Anders and Gary Magnotte. They took us on a whirlwind tour of this small island in the Netherlands Antilles, showing fascinating shots of the vegitation, the animal life, and the shells they collected.
The meeting was officially adjourned at 12:30PM.
Sunday's business meeting was opened by our President at 10:00 AM and then turned over to Kirk Anders who showed slides of a shelling tour he had conducted to Glover's Reef, British Honduras, Cymati.m parthenopium, Cassis flammea, Cyphcma gibbosum, Strombus gallus, and Conus regius were only a few of the numerous species which were collected during this adventure.
The nominating committee then presented their slate of officers for the following year, which was accepted and voted upon. The new officers for 1973-197) are? President Kirk Anders Vice President Carl Erickson Secretary/Treasurer Dorothy Janowsky
The shell auction, which we had sll been eagerly anticipating, climaxed the day's meeting. Donated by members and by shell dealers in this country and abroad, the shells were of excellent quality and species representing many different families were available, Cypraea tigris schilderiana, Cypraea stercoraria rattus, Voluta kaneko, and Murex foliatus were only a few of the many specimens which caused spir- ited bidding by everyone. The total "take" of the auction increased our treasury by
$185.50. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30PM.
FRESE EAB EEE EEE BEEBE BRB ABER EH EB EHH EBB BIB BEBE
Conchologists of America 197), Convention, Seattle Washington June 13,14,15,16, 1974
June 13 93:00 to 11:00AM Registration, Edgewater Inn on the Seattle Waterfront. June 13 13:00 to 4:30PM Opening Session, Greetings, Coffee Break, Papers.
June 13. Evening- Social get-together, No-host Cocktail Hour and dinner at the Edgewater.
June 14, General session starts at 9:30AM with coffee breaks and lunch scheduled. 4:30 conclusion of first full day of papers.
ER Pr El
June 1)
June 15
June 16
res Evening Cocktail Hour, Banquet, and ----- SHELL AUCTION! !$3!1)1
9:30AM to noon, Final session of papers and business meeting. Afternoon will be free for tours of Seattle etc. That everirg an optioral trip to Blake Island is scheduled aboard a cruise boat for viewing the Indian villiage there seeing Indian dances and partaking of the Indian Salmon Bake for dinner, all authentic Northwest Indians and food.
Morning bus tour, cross Puget Sound by ferry to Bremerton to see the U.S.S. Missouri, and lunch at the Hearthside Restaurant. Then to Port Gamble to visit the Of Sea and Shore Museum of Shells and Marine Life, on the way back to Seattle we'll visit the North Kitsap marine Environmental Center to view live local marine life.
June 17 thru 19th A collecting trip is scheduled. This will include the famous Victoria
Breakwater on Vancouver Island, Padilla Bay, and other locations in Washington, and British Columbia. Tom Rice has planned the whole thing and it looks as though he's pulled out all of the stops to do it RIGHT:
All of the costs have not been finalized as yet, though the rates at the Edgewater Inn are $2.00 waterside (double), $19.00 (single); cityside rates are $19.50 and $15.50. Cost of the Sunday bus trip to Port Gamble including lunch will be about $10.00 per person. Other rates and the collecting trip costs will be available soon. .
For all of the details contact Thomas C. Rice at Of Sea and Shore Magazine,
Port Gamble, Washington 9836).
Please don't forget that this is your paper,and we need all of you to help
it grow, and become the kind of paper we'd all like to really be proud of. Get your thoughts together and send papers,notes, bookreviews and anything relating to shells and shelling that you feel the rest of us would like to hear about and learn from.
y
|
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN 2
Time has come around again for another issue of the Bulletin to get put together, and regretfully there has not been very much material submitted.
Editorial F. Nelson Pa Lee Nelson
Important Edible Mollusks of the HPAte te 6( te Arthur S. Merrill &
(Vy ys John W. Ropes Pot 2 The Bookshelf ie DEC 32 199 F, Nelson ae Pa Night Shelling at South Bimini Corinne E. Edwards P. 5 Helpful Hints on Collecting and oFELD AWUSELIM LIBRARY John Phillips P. 6
macronterus and Pteropurpura vokesae,. ees EDITORIAL -----
Several letters have come in asking about books, publications, etc.,and it strikes me that the list of books for sale which is included in Tom Rice's " Of Sea and Shore " magazine does a good job of keeping everyone posted about books currently on the dealers shelves which might be of interest to shell collectors, and Since he also reviews the books that he offers for sale this should be an adequate coverage of books in print at any given time. JI don't want this to sound as though I'm running an advertisement for one bookdealer to the detriment of any other one, but Tom is a member of our organization and is probably better known to more cf the membership than any other book seller that I could name. I thought that because of this, it might be of more value to our readers to make them aware of some of the other sources of publications not the normally used book stores. In the section called " The Bookshelf " which I shall try to make a regular feature is a sampling of several of the places from which books of interest can be ordered.
Arthur S. Merrill and John W. Ropes have submitted the article below on Commercial Shellfisheries which I hope will be the first in a series which will serve to put into perspective for all of us the interplay between those populations which form the total ecosystem which is our planet.
I had thought to write a rather longer editorial to kick-off each issue of the Bulletin, and particularly so since so little material had been submitted, but, my wife up-staged me with the following:
" Today's increase in both leisure time and affluence seems to be turning an ever larger segment of our population into collectors ----- collectors of stamps, coins, books, buttons, and baubles. Just name it and, somewhere, there is a collector eagerly waiting to add it to his collection. When one considers the number and div- ersity of active collectors, one must also wonder how trash disposal ever came to be a problem. But to each collector, whatever the intrinsic value (or lack of it) of his chosen specialty, each item is a treasure.
f Nearly all collectors, be they collectors of pre-Columbian artifacts or comic books, have certain traits in common, In addition to the obvious desire to have the biggest, the most valuable, or the most complete collection possible, they seem also to turn a remarkably deaf ear and a blind eye to anything not directly
within their own sphere of interest. Ordinarilly this doesn't pose too serious 2 problem. A stamp collector seldom finds the need to put his collection into focus with anything more esoteric than his checkbook, or relate it to anything more elusive than the collection of "That guy down the block". He can happily pursue his hobby, limited only by the time and effort he wants to expend and the funds available to him.
Likewise, nearly all collectors have certain problems in common, such as display facilities and space in which to house "the collection". But few collecting hobbies carry with them the degree of moral responsibility that shell collecting demands. All serious shell collectors have, I'm sure, at one time or another, been exposed to the Code of Ethics, Rules for Collectors, or whatever label that particular author has put on it. And I'm equally confident that all serious collectors observe these rules quite faithfully and consistantly. It is, after all, in the best inter- ests of shell collecting generally for all of us to do so. But I wonder how many dedicated collectors, who wouldn't think of collecting endangered, immature, or damaged specimens, or of leaving a collecting area in shambles, would just as faith- fully adorn their wives with leopard skin coats or alligator bags if they could
» circumvent the law.
Shell collectors as a group, have been very dedicated and forceful in sup- porting projects to save the wetlands, pervent beach erosion, establish seashore parks, protect endangered species and promote meaningful legislation for the preservation of intertidal zones. These areas are all related, to some degree, to our special inter- est in shell collecting. But conchology is not an isolated field, Mollusks are only one small part of a huge, inter-related biological tree that, at the moment, has far too many weak limbs.
Careful observation of life in any defined area, wether it be a coral reef, a corn field, a small pond, or a jungle, will show the interdependance of both plants and animals on eachother for continued existance. The eradication of a single species, however vgly, distasteful, or preditory, can start a chain reaction that may serious-
ly and irreversibly change the biological balance.
Hopefully, shell collectors will find the time and inclination to view their interest in shells in relation to the total ecological picture and support rot only those areas of conservation pertaining directly to mollusks, but to support all worthwhile conservation measures. We can protect and enjoy a species that is not endangered, and we can try to revive an endangered one. But once a species is beyond reviving or totally extinct, we can only wish that we had had more foresight. Today we have a fighting chance to save the whooping crane, the peregrene falcon, and
- certain of the great whales. Tomorrow it could be Strombus pugilis or Voluta musica."
Lee Nelson
IMOPRTANT EDIBLE MOLLUSKS OF THE JNITED STATES Arthur S. Merrill and John W. Ropes +*
A serious study of malacology often begins for both the professional and amateur alike by collecting and identifying the many available mollusks «ithin a local area. An interest develops and new species become less easilly acquired, the student widens the area of search to include world-wide specimens or a more concentrated effort is made to observe the complex biology of a few species. The latter course sometimes brings the student face to face with the fact that some species have a very important value as food for man. In many countries, the number of food species are relatively few but they often attain a large size and are sufficiently abundant to warrent commercial exploitation.
A variety of molluscan shellfish are utilized for food world-wide. In Table 1, we have separated the world molluscan catch into major categories and includ- ed the portion of the catch taken by countries that dominate in particular fisheries.
In just two categories, Japan and the United States caught nearly half of the 3.12
% 2
million metric tons of world molluscans in 1967. Japan's catch was made up of a wide variety of molluscan shell fish; its take equalled over 75% of the world catch of squid, octopus, freshwater clams, conchs, whelks, etc. The United States ranked second in the dominance category, taking about half of the world's catch of bivalved mollusks, such as clams, oysters, and scallops. Other countries have a dominance for special species that occur near their shores.
Landings are greater on the east coast of the United States than on the. west coast. This is due in large part to extensive estuaries, such as the Chesapeake Bay system, and the broad continental shelves found on the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. During 1965-69, an annual average of 113 million pounds of bivalved mollusks were the nation's harvest; over 90% of this total was taken from the east coast (Table 2)
Several marine pelecypods inhabit the east coast and have been used for food since colonial days. Five species are harvested by important fisheries: the oyster (Crassostrea virginica); the surf clam (Spisula solidissima); the sea scallop (Placopecten page ee 3 the northern hard-shell clam or quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria); and the
"goft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). Minor fisheries exist for: the southern hard-shell clam
(Mercenaria campechiensis); the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica); the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians); the calico scallop (Argopecten gibbus); the blue mussel (Mytilus eats); the sunray clam (Macrocallista nimbosa) } and cc razor clam (Ensis directus). Gastropods, such as the queen conch (Strombus gigas); whelks (Busycon carica and £, canaliculatum); and the periwinkle (Litterina littorea), are harvested but are generally of minor and local significance. Some o e minor species of clams and snails have the potential to become commercially important in the future.
On the west coast, landings of oysters are mostly of the Japanese species, Ostrea gigas 3; it is imported as seed and intensively cultured. The native Olympic oyster, Ostrea Seid 3 is of local importance, as is the eastern oyster C. virginica, which was introduced in the late 1800's. Several other species of bivalves used for food are: the razor clam (Siliqua patula); the pismo clam (Tivela stultorum); the butter clam (Saxidoms nuttalli and S. giganteus)3 the little neck clam (Prototheca staminea); the apes philippinarun); ae cockle (Clinocardium nuttalli); the horse clam
Manila clam (T (Schizothaerus nuttalli); the soft-shell clam (M.arenaria)(introduced from the east coast);
and others.
Sport digging for edible bivalves has become an increasingly important recreation. Several of the west coast species are taken this way, as are a few on the east coast, particularly in areas catering to summer tourists. The pressure from sport ans commercial fishing of bivalves has necessitated formulating State regulations to manage the fisheries. The intent of these regulations is to insure continued future use of the bivalve stocks and to eliminate possible health hazards from eating bivalves liv- ing in contaminated coastal waters.
Molluscan shellfish fisheries are unique in that each one has its own indiv- idual methods of operation. The manner in which the particular mollusk is harvested, where it is most abundant, and the facts on the biology are topics of general interest. Much is known about some of the fisheries, but much more remains to be learned to effectively manage them for maximm utilization of the valuable natural resource.
( See Page for Tables # 1 and 2)
%* NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, MIDDLE ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES CENTER, OXFORD, MARYLAND 2165)
Editors Note: The foregoing article is the first of what I hope will become a series contributed by Messers Merrill and Ropes on Commercial Shellfisheries. Perhaps they will serve to put into perspective for us all the interplay between populations in the total platetary ecosystem.
% 3
Table 1. World Molluscan Shellfish Catch --1967
Arranged According to Production with Dominant Country and Catch = (in Metric Tons
BAN REBEAERE bi ay, World Dominant. Country Species Catch and Catch Squid, octopus, freshwater clams, conchs, whelks, etc 952,000 Japan 728 ,500 Oyater, clam, scallpo 1,390,000 United States 654,100 Mussel 273,000 Netherlands 85,600 Cockle, arkshell 103,000 Malaysia 53,800 Cuttlefish , 60,000 Spain 16,900 Winkle 4,000 ' Ireland 2,000 Miscellaneous 338,000 Total World Catch 3,120,000 metric tons (= 6.9 billion pounds)
Asource: FAO. 1969. Yearbook of Fishery Statistics, Catches and Landings - 1968 Vol. 26, 318p.
Table 2. Average Annual Landings of Five Major Molluscan Shellfish in the United States, 1965 - 69 Thousands of Pounds of Shucked Meats
East Coast West Coast Oyster 48 , 106 7,890 Surf clam Lh 646 ~ Sea scallop 13,868 1,825 Hard-shell clam 12,665 3,042° 2s -shell clam 11,271
b Includes several species of clams not * separated in statistical digests
THE BOOKSHELF
Several letters have come in asking about books, publications, etc. It strikes me that the list of current publications which is included in Tom Rice's "Of Sea and Shore" magazine does a generally good job of keeping everyone posted as to the books in print which might be of interest to the average collector, and he also rev- jews the latest regular books that come his way. I do not wish this to sound as though i'm running a specific advertisement for one bookdealer to the detriment of another one, but, Tom is a member of our organization and is probably known to more members than any other bookseller that I might care to name. That long and rambling preamble leads to the point, I thought that it might be of some value to make mention of all of the other kinds of sources of books, reprints, separates etc. than the normally used book stores. Each issue I shall have a little more to suggest regarding various means of building up a library.
UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS 300 NORTH ZEEB ROAD ANN AREOR, MICHIGAN 48106 Has for sale a number of reprints of works that are very hard to find, if not downright impossible, through the normal "out-of-print" sources, for example:
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BAKER, F.C. A Naturalist in Mexico, being a visit to Cuba, northern Yucatan, and Mexico.
1895, 182 pp $ 9.10
GOODRICH, CALVIN The Mollusca of Michigan. 1932, 1h0 pp $ 7.00
KEEN, A. MYRA, and DOTY, CHARLOTTE L. An Annotated Checklist of the Gastropods of Cape Arago, Oregon. c 1942, 17 pp $ 6.00
MacGINITIE, GEORGE E. Distribution and Ecology of the Marine Invertebrates of Point Barrow, Alaska.
1955, 213 pp $10.65
VAN DER SCHALIE, HENRY The Land and Fresh-water Mollusks of Puerto Rico. 1948, 166 pp $ 8.30
The above is just a sampling of the titles available, they run, as you can see, at the rate of $0.05 per page with a minimum of $6.00 per volume. They also have a service which will provide these titles and others on their list in regular hard library bindings, for a slight extra charge.
Another source of publications (these are not reprints) is: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PRESS DRAWER 9088, CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 3312)
Who have issued a number of specific items in a series of "Marine Science Publications" and also a quarterly "Bulletin of Marine Science", which deals primarilly with topics relating to tropical and subtropical waters. They have also begun a projected series "Fauna Caribaea", which will deal with the marine and terrestrial animals of the Caribbean area. The "Fauna Caribaea" will be a series of handbooks with illustrated keys. In the "Studies in Tropical Oceanography" they have already issued:
No. 6 : AMERICAN OPISTHOBRANCH MOLLUSKS By Eveline Marcus and Ernst Marcus 1968 viii, 256 pp illus. $10.00
Future issues will bring more of this kind of report on what's available in the reprint and specialty publishing fields, and we are working also on a possible article on the Microforms field which may be the library resource of the future.
NIGHT SHELLING AT SOUTH BIMINI Lt Col Corhine E. Edwards USAF
On the little sand bars close by the Sunshine Inn, between rocks, dock and channel, Cynthia Plockelman once found several della dolabrata on a night shelling trip. In April, four Ft. Myers shell club members were at Bimini (me too), 2 A.M., ona dark, no-moon night, armed with flashlights, searching for that Atlantic pyram. It is listed as common in the West Indies and we find them, shiny and brownlined in the beach drift at Bimini. We saw Terebra hastata, and dislocata, Oliva reticularis and the six holed sand dollar all over the sand flats that night, no pyram.
Who wants to go back to bed at 3 A.M. on a lovely warm night? Curiosity led me to have a look along the other side of the rock jetty. There I was, without a thin- bladed knife, when I discovered Chiton viridis, a variably-colored snakeskin-girdled chiton, out in force, on the wave washed rocks. However, I did not go back empty handed.
The others had wanted Cittarium pica, but the great four-insh ones down in the depths in front of the I nn are old, pitted, rusty and eroded. Here good=sized and clean the
* 5
West Indian top shell or magpie, was also on the move. I easily picked off more than a dozen without chipping a single black-edged pearly lip. The operculum is a fascinating bit of nature take a look at it.
The next night at 2:30 A.M. we went out to those rocks for chitons. A friend of Laverne's had furnished a jar of alcohol and asked her for Acanthopleura granulata to trade with, but here was a bonanza. With someone to hold the light while I wielded the knife, we got Chiton viridis for him and some for ourselves. This chiton is ever so easy to remove from the rocks without damaging the girdle, as it is out moving at night. The valves are very white inside this mollusk, if it is disarticulated, the valves kept in order and carefully glued back together.
There was more, on this second night shelling venture. Shining white in ny flashlight beam,I saw an Epitonium lamellosum. This sizeable wentletrap was out alone on a big black rock. It was actively turning and twisting its shell as if it did not like to be in bright light. I took it and the others exclamed over my find. Then my
light picked out a fat greenish anemone and there was another Epitonium lamrllosum feeding on it.
I could see the long thin proboscis inserted below the tentacles into the smooth fleshy side of the anemone. We all searched for more and ruefully remembered all the great blue-green anemones out at the deep end of the rock jetty. If only we dare- d to navigate the rocks and fire coral and urchins, but weak flashlights and deeper water wete too much. Do Epitonium come out at night to feed? Were there plenty out there? Who knows?
There was more ----- and it was a happy group of shellers (but with cold feet) that finally crawled back to bed.
from Seafari, Vol. XI. No. 6 , June 1969 the Monthly organ of The Palm Beach County Shell Club
HELPF''L HINTS ON COLLECTING AND CLEANING PIEROPURPURA MACROPTERJS AND PTERO PURPURA VOKESAE. Jo lips
Having been a dyed-in-the-wool Murex lover for almost 15 years, I was natur- ally very keen on discovering the whereabouts of our local goodies when I began diving commercially off Santa Barbara about seven years ago. The following helpful hints apply only to personal observations made by myself in the Santa Barbara and Point Concepcion areas. In short, you cannot always judge one by looking at the other, and my observations might prove faulty in other areas where Pteropurpura macropterus and P. vokesae are prevalent.
At the time that I began diving for California Murex, P. vokesae and P. macropterus were both very rare and seldom-seen species; I can well remember the day when I actually trembled with delight at the sight of a lovely set of these shells in the personal collection of a friend. I think that I probably set my mind to wonder- ing abaut where these little dainty creatures reside on that very day, and I set out on a search which took me almost two years to complete. My search ended with that age-old conchological saying "Shells are where you find themY!". The originator of that little statement forgot to add the fact that one must first discover the natural habitat of any given species, and in my case it took two years.
P. macropterus is not a very selective creature regarding the type of bottom that he likes to Live on, and I have found him thriving in the following environments: hard rock bottoms with lush growths of algae and kelp and intermittant outcroppings of boulders and rock ledges; smooth, hard rock bottoms with absolutely no bottom growth or rock outcroppongs. The specimens taken on this type of bottom are always very heavily coated with lime and are not desireable as specimen shells; silt bottom with large rock reefs or ledges and boulder rubble piled up in fromt of the ledges.
This type of bottom seems to house the really chottce specimens, and they will be found clinging to the tops and sides of the boulders. Choice specimens may also be found partially buried in the silt edge where the sloping, backsides of each ledge meet the bottom. Heavily coated specimens may be found on the tops and vertical faces of the ledges, and I generally never even bother picking these up. It is very unusual to
find P. macropterus residing in the silt channels between the rock reefs or ledges. Incidentally, I forgot to mention that these rock ledges are almost always located on
a parallel plane with the shoreline, and the distance between each ledge varies between 19 feet and 190 feet, usually dependant upon the depth of the water. ‘They are located closer together in the deeper water, meaning 80 feet and up; this species muy also
be collected on a silt bottom with a covering of small stones, and the shells will be found delicately perched on a piece of rubble approximately 1/10th his size. These are usually very choice, almost-uncoated specimens: and at last, this species may be found on large rock reefs which are sutrounded by large expances of coarse white sand. The specimens taken here are generally very heavily coated with various types of marine growth, especially a very destructive purple-colored growth that has the bad habit of almost completely eating away the variees of Murex. Needless to say, these latter specimens are not in any way collector's items, and I simply leave them alone.
P. vokesae is a much more selective mollusk than his first cousin macropter.us and he choses only several types of bottom to live on, as follows: I have found this species to particularly favor the silt channels or expances between rock reefs or ledges, and they prefer to live in waters over 70 feet ( I found them to be quite evi- dent in 140 feet). They are occasionally collected in pairs or threesomes, but they seem to be prevalent as "loners" or singles. They will occasionally be found nestled comfortably underneath a breeding colony of P.macropterus on the boulder rubble that piles up in front of the rock ledges, sometimes with unidentified eggs in tow (the question might arise as to which species the eggs belong to, and I am baffled over this one.); this species may also be collected on silt bottoms with small stone rubble, in company and seemingly in perfect harmony with its favorite cousin macropterus; this shell does not like large rock reefs or ledges, and the occasional specimens that are taken here are very heavily coated and are not specimen shells.
P. vokesae does not attract excess marine growth like P. macropterus, and the encrustations do not seem to anchor themselves as readily on the P. vokesae as they do on the P. macropterus. If there are heavy encrustations on a specimen of P. vokesae, they are almost always very easy to remove and hardly ever leave any damage to the exterior surface of the shell. I have observed that P. vokesae coats homself with a protective coating of silt and some sort of secretion from the mantle of the mollusk; this coating generally repels any serious growths of lime or other destructive marine encrustations, and it acts as a camoflage also. I have also seen, on rare occasions, P. macropterus that were coated with this protective covering, but not nearly so often as the P. vokesae.
Once the Murex are collected it is then time to go through the drudgery of removing the living mollusk and cleaning the shell for the cabinet. There are nunmer- ous methods of doing this, but I will relate my own, personal method, which has worked in almost toolproof fashion for myself and my associates. First,I always individually scrub the surface of each shell with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove the loose dirt and "grunge" that attaches itself to almost every shell beneath the sea ( I do this on my boat immediately after surfacing from a dive) . Excess amounts of mud or dirt will very quickly neutralize the potency of any cleaning agent that is being used, and it is a small chore to remove this material prior to taking the shells home for the final cleaning steps. After doing the above maneuver I always cull the load and take out the imperfect and broken specimens, which I personally return to their respective envoronments on the bottoms I also return all juvenile shells to their homes. Next I take the collected specimens home (my home that is) and place them in boiling waterfor approximately five minutes; this kills the mollusk and enables its removal from the external skeleton or shell. Removal of the mollusk can be accomplished by grasping the cooked material firmly with a sharp implement and gently twisting the
* 7 *
animal round and round in a clockwise manner till it comes out. In using the term “sharp implement" I could be talking about almost anything that could either grasp or
be inserted into the cooked mollusk. After removing the mollusk I always save each operculum, as this is an important part of the shell. Once the animaland the operculum have been removed I then put the shells in straight pool chlorine bleach for varying lengths of time depending on the degree of coating. Murex may be left in bleach for almost any length oftime without causing any moticeable damage to the shell, but I
find that a maximum soaking period of 2) hours will just about take care of anything clinging to the surface of the shells. After removalfrom the bleach thoroughly wash each shell with fresh water and then allow the shells to dry. Once the shells have completely dried the bleached coatings, having been undermined and saturated with chlorine, may be gently plucked away from the surface of the shell with knives, dental tools, ice picks, or anything that suits the desires of the collector. Now we have reached a very crucial stage in our cleaning operation, in that we are herewith pre- sented with that horrible question," Do I use acid on this one??:". So many times
this question has crossed my mind, and I have worked it out to the best of my ability
, via the sometimes painful process of trial and error. I find that a very light, brushed- on dab of commercial-grade Muriatic acid on the body whorl and varices of the smooth type P. macropterus will bring out a spot of color that was absent before the brushing. Again, I leave the above procedure strictly up to the individual who owns the shell, as some folks mght say that this is an unnatural, semi-artificial way of "coloring" the shell. I sometimes find the surface of the smooth type P. macropterus to be lightly covered with a misty, whitish-colored film after the preliminary cleaning stages, and the acid treatment or acid brushing (not an acid bath) removes this. I try not to use any acid in the spire and apex area, as it will ream out the sutures on the spire and give that particular area a very unhealthy, overcleaned appearance. I never use any acid on any Murex that have imbricated surfaces to their shells; this completely rules out P. vokesae and most of the variations of P. macropterus as being probable victims of the "dreaded acid treatment". Actually, it is aot all that bad, and some of my very finest, showpiecespecimens of P. macropterus were carefully treated with acid.
Now we come to the final stage of our cleaning operation, which involves the replacement of natural oils in the surface of the shell which were removed during the boiling and bleaching steps of the cleaning process. Some collectors use a strange solution of glycerin and alcohol, some useJohnson's Baby Oil, but I use light gauge Squibbs Mineral O11. Thus far the only complaints that I have received regarding this particuiar phase of the cleaning operation were a few loud cries of "greasy fingers", which cannot be avoided unless one handles his or hers shells with gloves ( that's no fun). And finally, in closing out my discussion of the cleaning procedure I will urge every one to always replace the proper operculum with its proper mate.
Now that I have excited every reader to the point of "frenzy", I will fur- ther advise each and every able person to travel to your nearest dive shop, rent some equipment for underwater diving, select your diving spot, and last but not least, follow my instructions as outlined in this article and collect your own P.vokesae and P. macropterus, thus eliminating the illustrious "middle-man", or in this particular case, the shell dealer. (In essence I have just slit my own throat]//!).
Santa Barbara, California.
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CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN 3
etary- - Treasurer Editor
I} Dorothy Janowsky Mr. Frank J. Nelson
H Ralph Avenue 95-24 110th Street Itklyn, N.Y. 11236 Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
---- CONTENTS COA Convention - 197) Dorothy Janowsky Minutes of the Business atu Ward Dorothy Janowsky
a Pare
Treasurers Report December) Si1y\ Dorothy Janowsky Speaking Out \ “099 109) QI Frank J. Nelson Pan Fried DEC 44 lee John Phillips
Western Society of Malacotegiste | SeirtydntaBRARY Dorothy Janowsky The Bookfinder Frank J. Nelson
We have made some changes in the Bulletin's format in getting this issue put-to-bed, all of us hope that you'll find it to your liking. The changes were planned to make for a more professional looking and one which will allow for some simplification of the handling. As one example of the greater ease of putting the text together you'll notice two entirely dif- ferent typewriters have been used in setting the pages, the nice neat typing of several of the pages, two through five for example were done for your editor by the kind offices of Miss Pat Rendell my Secretary who kindly bailed me out of the normal profanity sessions and two finger mangling of the typing, spelling, etc., which comes out of your editor's total lack of talent in that particular artform. For the neat and orderly typewritten pages thank Miss
Rendell, and for the rest you can blame me.
Another reason for the changes is to make for ease in getting camera ready copy to the printer. This will have as an added bonus at sometime in the future, the ability to use illustrations as well as text in the Bulletin. For a future issue we are planning to use the pages from a field note book in connection with an article on organizing ones field trips, and relating all of that smelly mess in the bottom of the collecting pail to the nice neat
labels and boxes in your cabinets.
Since the Minutes of the Business Meeting were written we have had word of a hitch in the plans of the Conchologists of South East Asia- Thai- land Chapter, as soon as we find out how their problems were resolved we'll
advise you.
ome pe sgn
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3
COA CONVENTION - 1974
The third convention of the Conchologists of America was held at the Edgewater Inn in Seattle, Washington from Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16, 1974,
After a morning of registration and getting to know one another, the convention was opened at 1 PM by our president, Kirk Anders, who extended a warm welcome to the attending members and guests and expressed his appreciation and thanks to our host and convention chairman, Tom Rice, for the excellent job he had done in planning this convention. He then turned the meeting over to Tom who spoke briefly, expressing his own welcome to all and introducing the co-host and hostess, Jerry and Agnes Ward. Papers, slide presentations, and films were enjoyed for the rest of the afternoon, with coffe breaks giving everyone an opportunity to discuss the presentations and to chat with the speakers. A no-host cocktail hour before dinner provided the perfect atmosphere for renewing those old acquaintances and for forming new ones. After dinner a "better late than never" cocktail party, given by Kirk, ended the first day ona merry note.
Friday's program was a full one, with papers from 9 AM to 4:30 PM with lunch and coffee breaks interspersed. Lunch time gave an ideal opportunity to take a group photo - a difficult matter as at times we had more people snapping pictures than being photographed.
That evening the no-host cocktail hour was followed by the banquet, then came the event we had all been anticipating - the shell auction. The donors of the shells had been extremely generous and goodies such as Gaza superba, Trophon avalonensis, Oocorys bartschi, and Conus villepinii were among the many highly desirable species to be sold. All shells had been on display during the convention and everyone was determined to take his favorites home with him. Under Tom's superb direction as auctioneer the bidding was very spirited, and at the end of the evening we discovered in amazement that we had raised $839.25 for our treasury. Thanks to everyone who participated, either as donor or as bidder, the success of this auction will be difficult to surpass.
Saturday morning's papers, from 9 AM to noon, followed by the business meeting after lunch, ended the formal sessions of the convention. Inall, 61 people had registered and attended the programs.
Saturday afternoon provided everyone with free time to wander through Woodland Park Zoo, visit the Pacific Science Center, catch a movie, or just browse through the shops on the waterfront. That evening we all boarded the Blake Island ferry for an evening of food and entertainment at Tillicum Village,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3
an Indian longhouse which features salmon barbecued over an open alder wood fire for dinner and authentic North Coast Indian dances afterward.
Sunday was the day we had all been looking forward to - the day we would visit Tom's Of Sea and Shore Museum. The ferry took us across Puget Sound to the port of Bremerton where we made a short side trip to visit the USS Missouri, the battleship on which the treaty with Japan was signed ending World War II, We then headed towards Port Gamble, making one other short stop to take some photos of ''Tom!'s bridge" (where he works as bridge tender) which spans the Hood Canal, After a delicious lunch we arrived at the museum which is located in the restored portion of Port Gamble. Built in the nineteenth century as a saw mill company town, the original buildings of Port Gamble reflect the style of the New England towns from which the builders had originally come, The museum occupies the second floor balcony of the General Store and features educational exhibits of shells and other marine life. General displays which show the life forms to be found ona coral reef or along the shore line are interspersed with cases in which various families of molluscs are featured. There is also an extensive library of reference books available for use, We were very impressed with the superb job that Tom has done in planning and in setting up his museum and recommend it as a ''must'' for anyone in the area.
All too soon it was time to head back to Seattle where we said our good-byes to those who would not be joining us on the three day field trip.
Monday morning we were up and on our way quite early as we wanted to catch the low tide at Padillo Bay on an extensive mud flat area in Bayview State Park, The collecting was quite good and a new experience for those of us who had not "worked" a mud flat before. The most abundant species appeared to be Batillaria zonalis; several species of limpet were also quite common there, After several hours of collecting, admiring, and sharing our finds, we boarded the bus and headed for Deception Pass State Park. All marine life in this park (with the exception of fish) are protected, so no collecting was permitted. For this reason, tidepool life was quite abundant and, as always, fascinating to watch. Then on to Anacortes, where we boarded the ferry which would take us through the San Juan Islands and into Sidney, Vancouver Island. From there it was just a short ride to the lovely town of Victoria, capital of the island, where we spent the night.
Early rising was on the agenda again for Tuesday, as we were eagerly anticipating a minus 2.0 low tide on the famed Victoria Breakwater. Built in steps from huge concrete blocks, the lower levels of the breakwater, when exposed, offer the collector an incredible variety of species and specimens.
The shells were so abundant and so free of any surface incrustation that it was a simple matter to choose only a few of the best of each species, returning the others to their habitat. Thais lamellosa, extremely frilly and beautiful, and Katherina tunicata were extremely abundant, with Calliostoma ligatum, Thais
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3 Page 4
lima and huge Cryptochiton stelleri only slightly less so. Some of the other species found were Collisella digitalis, Notoacmaea scutum, Diodora aspera, Tonicella lineata, Calliostoma annulatum, Fusitriton oregonensis, and many specimens of Haliotis kamtschatkana, collected and cleaned by the gulls and left for our taking. It was a very exciting morning of collecting and one which will be hard to equal. Back at our hotel rooms we dealt with our finds as best as we could, then hurried off for an afternoon of sightseeing in Victoria.
Many of us decided to visit the well known Butchart Gardens, an old limestone quarry which had been turned from an eyesore into a spectacular, twenty five acre collection of rare and beautiful flowers and plants. A sunken garden, a rose garden, a formal English garden, anda Japanese garden were only a few of the separate areas, each horticulturally distinct from the others.
Returning to Victoria, several of us took the Tally-Ho ride, ina horse drawn wagon, which took us on an hour long tour of the town, then visited the newly built Provincial Museum, Others had "high tea" at the famous Empress Hotel or was some of the many other attractions that Victoria has to offer.
Leaving Victoria later that afternoon, we took the ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Port Angeles where we would be shelling the following day.
Again rising early, this time to catch a minus 2,6 tide, we took the short ride to Freshwater Bay. This was a rocky area with a thick covering of kelp underfoot, which made the walking rather treacherous but provided excellent shelling. Again, Thais lamellosa was quite common, but a smooth, elongated form quite different from those we had found in Victoria. The other very abundant species was Fusitriton oregonensis, which might have been in breeding at that point (one was discovered laying an egg mass - aside from photographing it, we did not disturb it), Ceratostoma foliata was found in some quantity, with several specimens having quite a bit of pink coloration in the shell, Other finds were Thais emarginata, Ocenebra interfossa, Searlesia dira, and Tonicella lineata. As he had done the previous day, Jerry Ward donned his wet suit and bravely entered the cold water to do some snorkeling. One of his finds was a specimen of Haliotis kamtschatkana, which he had not collected in Freshwater Bay until then.
All too soon it was time to return to the motel and get our shells and luggage packed for the return trip to Seattle, We drove down the Olympic Peninsula, stopping at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park for lunch. At an elevation of slightly under one mile, the view of the surrounding snow- capped mountains was breathtaking. We naturally could not pass up the oppor- tunity for a snowball fight and, for a while, snow was flying fast and furious,
Continuing our trip we crossed Tom's bridge over Hood Canal, then picked up the ferry at Bremerton which would take us back into Seattle. Tired as some of
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3 Page 5
us were, we were all sorry to see the trip come to an end - a lot of fun was had and many good friendships were begun among the thirty-four of us who had spent those three days together. Thanks to the time, thought, and just plain hard work of Tom and Aggie and Jerry Ward it was a trip and a convention that we would never forget,
MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING
The business meeting of the third Conchologists of America convention was called to order at | PM on June 15, 1974 by our president, Kirt Anders, who expressed his appreciation to everyone who had helped make this convention such a success.
The Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were read and accepted and, as there was no old business to discuss, we moved on to the new business. A motion was made by Robert Janowsky to confer an honorary lifetime member- ship upon John Paduano in recognition of the time and effort he had devoted to the creation of the COA; this motion was unanimously approved.
Bob then gave a brief report on the founding of the Conchologists of South East Asia - Thailand Chapter. A letter had been written to the COA by Mr. A. J. da Motta, of Bankok, Thailand, requesting information regarding the advisability and the methods of forming a shell club in his area. After receiving Bob's detailed reply, Mr. da Motta held his first meeting during which officers were elected and a constitution and by-laws were drafted. We extend to Mr, da Motta and to the members of Conchologists of South East Asia - Thailand Chapter our congratulations on their new club and our sincere good wishes for its future growth and development,
Our final item of business was the election of officers for the coming year. Dr. Rita O'Clair, Robert Jensenand Jerry Ward, in their capacity as nominating committee, suggested the following slate of officers:
President Thomas Rice
Vice-President Phillip Clover
Secretary/Treasurer Dorothy Janowsky ! assisted by Robert Janowsky
Robert Janowsky was nominated to be Convention Chairman for the 1975 COA convention. A vote was then called for on each namination and each was accepted
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM.
| | | | |
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3
CONCHCLOGISTS OF AMERICA ~ TREASURER'S REPORT FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1973
BALANCE APRIL 30, 1973
RECEIPTS -
MEMBERSHIPS ~ INDIVIDUAL 10 CLUB
~~ 12
AUCTION
1973 CONVENTION
EXPENSES ~ DUES IN AeM.U. FCR 1974 BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1973 @ 417 Abu.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS INDIVIDUAL dS CLUBS 4
CURRENT BALANCE AS OF MAY 31,1974 $ 610.16
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3
Speaking out Frank J. Nelson
Instead of an editorial in the normal sense, it seems to me that in this issue of the Bulletin, I should simply list the follewing Editorial Com-
mandments.
1) Thou shalt not accept mediocre work. Because someone has written an article, an editorial, or letter, you certainly needn't simply accept it. If there are errors of fact or epinions with which you de not agree:- send the editor a note with your corrections and comments.
2) Thou shalt not keep people in the dark. If you know abo.t some- thing that you feel the other members should know, write to the editor, do NO'' ass«re that someone else will do so. It's better that the editor should get ten letters about the same thing than none.
3) Thovw shalt not procrastinate. When ou have a comment or crit- icism to make. Remember that it's most effective when it's fresh in mind.
4) Thou shalt not avoid expressing criticism or praise. Most people thrive on praise - and praise that can be heard by others can have it's syner- gistic effects. Praise is usually a better stimulant to motivation than is criticism, but, only when it's deserved.. When praise is not well considered and deserved it brings with it almost a guarantee of poor work.
5) Thou shalt not overload. Don't just sit back and say "so and so! always submits an article or a letter, etc. so why should I? If one or several people are asked to carry the whole burden of a job they will inevitably turn poorer quality work, too much pressure doesn't allow one to be as critical of his own work as he should.
6) Thou shalt not discourage innovation. From time to time things will be published in the Bulletin which will not meet the criteria you have in mind for it. Criticise, by all means, even though what you feel is in- appropriate to the Bulletin is exactly what someone else thinks of as being entirely appropriate. Write to the editor and give your opinion, this is the only way we have of comparing your opinions with those of others.
7) Thou shall not take anything for granted. No one in the whole world can possibly know what you know or know what you want; keep us infor- med. If you think that there are services that C.0.A. should provide for it's members - perhaps it's because noone has ever brought it to our attention. Don't sit on your hands, share your thoughts with the whole membership.
8) Thou shalt not set a bad example. If I as editor let a Bulletin get published without it being the very best it can be, if I've allowed sloppy work to get issued, if I havn't checked facts, or if I have otherwise not done the very best job of which I'm capable :- then "Jump all over me".
9) Thou shalt not criticise thoughtlessly. That says it all!!! 10) Thou shalt not assume the role of Mr. Perfect. 11! 11) Thou shalt not ignore what others regard as important. When sug-
gestions are made to the editor, see that the membership as a whole has the chance to comment on them before they are dropped from consideration.
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3 Page 8
12) Thou shalt not demonstrate lack of confidence. In trying to es- tablish democratic guidelines for the Bulletin, to get the best quality, and set the highest standards, the membership as contributors can and must be en- couraged to set and maintain those standards.
All of that "high-blown verbiage" is a way of saying that the success of the Bulletin is entirely dependant upon the interaction between editor and reader. We know that a better Bulletin can only result from having more and better material from which to chose, more thoughtful and thought provoking criticisms from the readers, and more concern on the part of reader and writer alike.
When I introduced myself several issues ago I laid out the rules by which I shall govern my responsibilities as editor. Some of those statements were and are statements of personal and private bias, but a bias derived from reading many papers etc., put out by amateur shell groups. The stature and substantiveness of those publications have been eroded by such ego trips as downright bad poetry, and by printing children's crib sheets masquerading as precocius erudition; however allowing all of the highly democratic rules above to apply without editorial supervision and some sometimes very undemo- cratic twisting of the ground rules could totally destroy what we are trying to do.
When we can all take pride in the Bulletin and keep that pride up as time goes by then and only then can we really say that the Bulletin and C.0.A. as well are flourishing and all of our efforts have meant something. Good enough will never be enough!
PAN FRIED by JOHN PHILLIPS
Probably one of the finest delicacies to come out of the sea is pan fried San Diego Scallops (Pecten diegensis Dall, 1898); unfortunately this is a gourmet's delight which very few individuals have sampled, and I sincer- ely wish that I could personally convey the savory flavor of this mollusk to every food-loving individual in the world. I have the fortune (7?) of being a six year veteran of the commercial abalone diving business, and I have spent countless hours on the bottom of our Southern California waters in search of our tasty Haliotis and other desirable seashells, ene of these be-
ing the elusive Pecten diegensis.
Pecten diegensis has leng been on the very rare, rare, or scarce list, and I will concur with the writings of any conchologist or malacologist who claims that this is one of the harder-to-obtain Southern California seashells. I searched long and hard before I found my first specimen in 105 feet of water off Coho Anchorage, which is located approximately two miles southeast of Point Concepcion Lighthouse.
I generally collect Pecten diegensis in depths varying from 45 (rarely) feet and 10 feet; however, the larger concentrations of this species seem to centralize themselves in the deeper waters over 80 feet. Many people seem to have the feeling that Pectens can only be collected on sandy or silty bot- toms; this might hold true for many species of Pecten or Chlamys, but I find the diegensis living happily on a variety of bottoms (ie. silt or mud with rock rubble, coarse sand bottem with rock rubble, silt or mud pockets in rock reef areas, very seldom in strictly sand or silt bottoms, and quite often I find them laying amongst large rocks or boulders with no sand or silt any- where nearby). It seems to be a fairly gregarious species, in that I generally
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3 Page 9
manage to locate more than one specimen at a time in the same general area. [I once collected eight fully adult shells ( 3" and up) in a ten foot radius, and I suspect that there were probably more hiding beneath the silt or sand in the same spot.
I have foind that the best way to spot Pecten diegensis is to swim very slowly approximately ten to fifteen feet off the ocean floor, water vis- ibility permitting of course; the scallops do not seem to spot a diver as quickly this way, whereas if you blunder along the bottom this clever moll- usk will spot you nine times out of ten and will accordingly take the necess- ary precautions against the hands of the wo.ld-be collector. Generally speak- ing, Pecten diegensis will be found partially or completely buried in the sand or silt, wmless you are lucky enough to locate one that has swum onto a rock reef and is lying there fully unprotected. When they are comfortably nestled in the silt or sand they will then execute their only protection against foes, which is camoflage; they are absolute masters of this, and even the trained eye of a seasoned veteran of Pecten collecting will more often than not, not distinguish the faintly visible silhouette of this shell as it lurks beneath the bottom.
When the Pectens are at ease they slightly open the two valves and protrude their many eyes along the outer edge of the shell. I have no idea what they are looking for with all those lovely eyes, and it is indeed a very strange experience to catch a colony of Pecten diegensis napping" like so many grains of irridescent sand amongst all of the other grains of sand on the ocean floor ( this is how their eyes appear). Whenever the Pectens sense danger approaching their domain they immediately draw in their eyes, close their shells tightly, and somehow cause a small trickle of sand or silt to settle along the outer, once visible perimeters of their shells, thus sealing them off from the "outside" world and all its dangers. They have even managed to support and even encourage the growth of colenies of algae on the flattened top valves of the shells, and this can easilly be mis- taken for common bottom growth. Actually it gives them the appearance of tiny scallop-shaped "forests", standing out in relief against the drab- colored backdrop of a rock reef or a sandy/silty bottom. Once you the diver have learned to spot this little forest the rest is comparitively easy and you are on your way to your very first meal of pan fried San Diego Scallop.
W. Ss. M. CONVENTION
The seventh annual meeting of the Western Society of Malacologists was held in the Kellogg West Conference Center of California State Polytechnic College in Pomona, California on June 19 - 22, 1974. Dr. James H. McLean, the current President of the W. S. M., was the Convention Chairman.
The presented papers were, for the most part, highly technical, but were interspersed with reports of collecting trips and scenes of last year's meeting. A silent auction on Thursday night, in which bids were written next to the shell of ones choice, provided fun for all and enriched the treasury by about $250.00. The banquet was held Friday evening following a no-host cock- tail party. The featured speaker for the evening was Dr. Clyde E. Roper of the U. S. National Museum of Natural History who presented an excellent slide program on Cephalopoda.
Conchologists of America Bulletin 3
Che “Book finder
For those of you with an interest in following John Phillips' recipe for dinner some evening, your appetites might get in the way but a discussion of Pecten diegensis Dall appears on page 302 of "Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Fourth Series, Vol. XXI, No. 25, The Templeton Crocker Expedition of the California Academy of Sciences, 1932 Number 25, The Recent Pectinidae, by Leo George Hertlein.
To continue the concept that we started in Bulletin Number 2 for the library resources that you might not have touched upon:-
PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT
MJSEJM OF COMPARITIVE ZOOLOGY
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02138
Have for sale three series of great interest and value to the serious
collector, they are Bulletins, Occasional Papers on Mollusks, and Johnsonia. Perhaps all of you have already either seen or subscribed to these publications and if you have there is very little that I can say to further describe then, but for those not familiar with the Molluscan Fauna of the Western Atlantic region Johnsonia is a continuing series of monographs on the various Families and Genera in this Zooeogeographical Region and are invaluable for collectors with material which comes from anywhere in this area.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
DPT. M-1
ACADEMY OF NaTURAL SCIENCES
19th and THE PARKWAY
PHILADSLPHIA, PHNNSYLVANIA 19103
Also have several serial publications, Notulae Naturae, Proceedings,
Monographs, and Special Publications, the contents of these series are so ex- tensive that it would be futile for me to make any attempt to point to any one of them without going into a several page listing of the important ones if all that I did was to produce a listing of the titles.
ACADEMIC PRESS, INC. 111 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK, N#W YORK 10003 Are a publisher of many highly specialized books in fields covering almost all of the sciences, but, I'd like to call your attention to two titles in their current list:- Medical and Economic Malacology, by Emile A. Malek and Thomas C Cheng
Molluscicides in Schistosomiasis Control, Edited by Thomas C. Cheng these are each expensive and highly specialized in their focus but I felt that there might be some value in calling your attention to the obvious fact that what we are interested in from one point of view has another area of investigation which has a very wide ranging effect on all of the populace of the world.
Just in case you are interested the prices of the two books above are $ 29.00 and 12.50 respectively
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA _ BULLETIN
nee t/
)Secretary-Treasurer . Editor
Mrs. Dorothy Janowsky Mr. Frank J. Nelson 946 Ralph Avenue Mal RT ar 1) 95-24 110th Street iBrocklyn, N.Y. 11236 yi SULA YY |B |
| |
Conticie cro 0 hid / \U) i
Speaking Out y DEL ee iyi Frank J. Nelson P. 1 Haiti, A Unique Expertencan cri | IBRARY Lee Nelson P. 2 The Bookfinder Frank J. Nelson ,
Speaking out Franks. Nelson
Another issue of the Bulletin, and you are going to hear the same old com plaint - NO CONTRIBUTIONS - I don't like to be so repetitious and belabor the point of the amount of work which falls on the Editor when he can call on only himself and his wife to be all of the authorship in an entire issue.
Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
Don't alibi about the lack of time at your disposal, I have a full time job, am presently the president of The New York Shell Club; do all of the materia] gather- ing for the Bookfinders have the publication of The New York Shell Club Notes from my home every month; am the typical hammer and saw in hand householder; I manage a little Sleep now-and-then; and I show the visible effects of many good meals,
One of the good things that comes of reading all of the trade publications that land on my desk is the occasional chance that I can crib an idea from someone else's material, Recently I ran into this one 3-
tj
"In a now classic experiment conducted by the Psychology Department of Col- umbia University, a group of volunteers had i-pound weights suspended from their index fingers, They were instructed to crook the finger - thus lifting the weight - for as long as they possibly could. Only when they were certain that they could no longer budge the weight were they to signal the psychologist in charge,
Some of the volunteers were able to lift the weight 100 times or more. But Sooner or later, each one reached his own individual point of total exhaustion. His finger felt paralyzeds the weight seemed a ton,
None of the subjects could see any of the others and as each succumbed in turn, the psychologist hurried over to him and whispered something in his ear,
In every single case, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, the voluntepr was able to lift the weight many more times after listening to what the psychologist had to say. Some were able to lift the weight more than 20 times past the point they were initially convin- ced represented complete exhaustion. Several subjects bettered their original per~ formance by almost 30 percent.
| What magic phrase did the psychologist employ?
Simple. ,
What he whispered was this; 'From this point on, I will give you a dollar for every time you succeed in lifting the weight!
A dollar bill for just crooking the index finger! It worked like magic, Sud- denly, fingers came to life. The weights moved swiftly, firmly.
Why? Because nothing is geared to extract the last ounce of effort out of a human being better than a REWakD." ;
I can't offer dollar bills but surely getting into print is a reward, and helping other people with the same interests is rewarding, I know that it sure is for me, and I think that it is the same with all of us.
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 2
Haiti, A Uniaue Experience
Considering its tarnished reputation, I don't know what caused my husband and I to change our vacation plans and go to Haiti with the Kirk Anders’ Tour group last March. Our Fairy Godmother must have had a hand in it, because it proved to be one of the most fortu- nate decisions we ever made.
People sometimes evasively use the word "unique" when they can't think of anything complimentary to say, yet must say something. Also, I recently heard it said, by a visitor to this country, that Americans tend to use the word too liberally, when a thing is not, in fact, unique. On both counts I plead not guilty. It's not at @ll difficult to say nice things about Haiti. And I do mean "unique" in the strict sense --- one of a kind, singular, unlike anything else. I'm in no way.implying that the other islands of the Caribbean are all alike, but I doubt that any are sufficiently different from all the others as to be called unique,
As the second oldest independent country in the western hemisphere, having attained its independence in 180, Haiti has probably retained more of its African heritage than any of the other Caribbean countries. One of the means by which this African culture has been maintained is through the practice of Voodoo, which is based on the old African tribal religions, with overtones of Catholicism, Because the early slaves did not resist forceable conversion to Catholicism by the French, but instead superficially embraced it, and incorporated into Voodoo many of its beliefs and practices, Voodoo has survived repeated and persistent attempts to suppress it. And over the years, Voodoo has become so ingrained into the Haitian culture and soul as to be almost synonymous with Heiti.
Its early history as a French colony has, of course, left Haiti with a very French flavor, But the early severing of ties with France has allowed this to evolve away from the French into Creole. Even the islands of the French West Indies are not colonies, but actually departments of France itseif, and consequently, much more truly French than Haiti.
Geographically, Haiti has the highest and some of the most rugged mountains in the Caribbean, and it is one of the very few countries in the area to share an island with another government.
The Dominican Republic, tying to the east, occupies 2/3 of the island of Hispaniola, with Haiti the western third. And unlike the open border of the half French, half Dutch island of St. Maarten, the Haitian-Dominican border is a rigidly closed one, Economically, it is the poorest of the Caribbean countries, with the average annual cash income estimated at between $50 and $75 per capita. Demo- graphicaily, its approximately 5,000,000 population is overwhelmingly
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 3
black, including a fair number of mulattos, with only about 3,000 whites, And a happier, friendlier people you won't find anywhere. There seems
to be no resentment whatsoever toward the tourist because of either
‘his color or his greater affluence, |
From the moment our plane landed in Port-au-Prince, and we faced the unpleasant ritual of customs and immigration, the people couldn't have been more pleasant and cooperative, Then, before we had time to recover from this unexpected friendliness, we were whisked “away in a bus through appallingly poor but fascinating suburbs and small towns, to the dock where we were to get the boat for Cacique Island and the Ibo Beach Hotel. Once on the island, to reach the hotel, we went along a cement walk in which Voodoo designs had been created with bits of staghorn coral. The following morning, by daylight, we discovered that many of the buildings and cottages were connected by these interesting walkways. Inthe open-air bar, we were invited to relax over a welcoming rum punch (and what a punch it hadi) while being assigned to our cottages. By then, it was totaily dark, and we had to be escorted to our rooms by flashlight. After that, we were on our own and somehow managed to find our way back to the dining room for dinner without mishap.
After dinner, we naturaily couldn't sleep until we had done
what we all sent there to do --= go shelling. Armed with flashlights, we searched along the sea wall, climbed over rocks and around mangrove roots, never more than a foot or two into the water, since we hadn't
yet seen this area in daylight. We found Nerite peloranta, N. tessellata, N. fulgurens, N. versiceler, Planaxis nucleus, Acanthopleura ranulata, Litterina zZiczac, and some Purpuras. After the tiring trip,
a stiff rum punch, and then shelling, we were all happy to fall into bed, and I doubt that anyone stayed awake for long to enjoy the
heavenly breeze and the sound of the waves lapping the shore just a few feet from our cottages.
Perhaps we were all too tired, too excited, or too "punchy" that first evening to notice, but I don't recail having any difficulty at dinner. Breakfast, on the other hand came as a bit of a shock. Seven-thirty in the morning is no time to be faced with the alterna- tive of remembering a little high school French or of starving! Haitians (except for the elite) speak Creole, with some French and less English. But fortunately they appreciate any attempt to speak to them in French, however poor or ungrammatical it may be. So, with their limited English and our limited French, our attempts to communi- cate were met with great good humor and much fun all around. We quickly learned to give our room numbers in French and, for the most part, got what we ordered to eat.
With our orientation to the island and a few other incidentals like food and sleep out of the way, we were ready to do some serious
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 4h
collecting. Cacique, a private island located northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonave, lies about a half mile off shore, The water here was clear and calm (great for snorkeling), and a lovely coral reef lies just off shore in shallow water, running the length of the island on the gulf side. It was along this reef, around the eastern end of the island and into the channel between Cacique and the mainland that we did most of our shelling. There were Murex pomum, Strombus raninus, S. ugilis (one an albino), S. gigas, 5. costatus, Xenophora conchyliophora, assis flammea, Coralliophila abbreviata, C. caribaea, Thais TeltsLisg, tT, haemostoma, T. rustica, Drupa nodulosa, Leukozonia nassa, ra nodulosa, Columbella mercatoria, and Cantharis tinctus. Many Cyphoma {bbosum were orawling on the purple sea fans, and the sea wall pro- Siced Ac
anthopleura granulata, Acmaca antillarium and Fissurella barbadensis. Kirk Anders found a Chione that, as far as 1 know, is still unidentified, and I believe that there were only two Conus pegiue collected. The mangrove roots and gorgonias were covered w ognomon alata, I. radiata, Ostraea frons, Pinctada radiata and Pteria co OS, but many other bivalves (Codakia orbicularis, @llina fausta, rpeerete laevigatum, and Asaphis defilorata) were found dead. Hermit crabs re- iuctantly gave up Mienas Cérithiums and other small shells. Along the shore of the eastern end of the island, rocks, plants and trees were polka-dotted with thousands of Tectarium muricatus, while at the western end we found the sand inside the foundation of the future dive shop black with miliions of Batillaria minima, Perhaps the most exciting finds were made by Kirk Anders and Jeff Welling, who each found a Latirum megintyi, aithough Jeff's was sadly lost or misplaced, But it would be impossible to give a complete list of ail the species found by all fourteen members of the group.
Being the lone misfit in the crowd who was more interested in non-marine shells than in marine, I couldn't wait to explore the un- developed north side of the island, On several trips into this brush and cactus covered area, my husband and I found 6 different species of land snails, most of them estivating on the cacti. I haven't yet identified them accurately, but there are two very interesting Macroceramus. Exploring this side of the island was hot and tiring, and once we thought that we tad lost Corinne Edwards, who accompanied us,
On one trip we were rewarded by watching and photographing the mating dance of a peacock that was much annoyed by our intrusion into his territory. But he retaliated one evening by arrogantly and very noisily parading around among the cottages on "our side" of the island.
Eight of us chartered a boat one day to go to Petican Reef and Sand Cay, about 5 miles out in the Gulf of Gonave. We didn't find anything very different here except Pinna carnea, but nowhere did we see Cyphoma gibbosum in such numbers, It was a perfect day for a trip like this, with the sun hot and bright, and the water caim and crystal- clear. Petican Reef, in particular, is a wonderland of colorful corals, sea fans, gorgonias and lively, inquisitive tropical fish in every shade of the rainbow, The beauty of this reef more than made up for the paucity of shells,
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 5
Although it was a delightful day, we were all hot, tired and sunburned, and quite happy to get back to the hotel with its showers and rum punch, The Ibo Beach is a pleasant and relaxing hotel, with its informality especiaily well suited to shell collectors. There are, at present, about 70 separate, attractive and airy cottages Situated near the water on white sand and protected by many shade trees. There are 3 swimming pools, one with a waterfall, and facilities for many other activities. Construction on the new open-air dining room and bar was nearing an end, as was the landscaping of the eastern end of the island, As the owner of the hotel (and of the island) outlined for us his plans for improvement and enlargement, I know that at least some of us were looking forward to a return trip some day.
Our last day in Haiti was spent sight-seeing on the mainland. Compared to most of the Caribbean countries, Haiti is a very large one, and in one day we saw only a small sample of what it has to offer. Fortunately for us, this happened to be market day, and the countryside was made much more colorful and interesting by the hundreds of peasants walking or riding burros to and from market with loads of assorted produce on their heads, by ox carts, open-air markets teeming with people, and by hordes of street vendors that descended like a plague of locusts wherever we stopped.
We passed through Port-au-Prinos, jammed with people buying and selling their wares, and through the fashionable suburb of Petionville. Then south of the city, we climbed higher and higher on narrow, winding roads, with a breathtaking and different view at each turn in the road ~-- here a small glimpse of the capitol or the Guif, there gardens terraced into the hillside, and everywhere the road lined with peasants walking or selling an endless variety of merchandise, And on approaching each turn in the road, the driver gave out with a blast on the horn, against the ever-present possibility that another vehicle was hurtling down the mountain toward us.
We stopped at a large, open-air market where an unbelievable assortment of foodstuffs was spread out in piles on the ground, crude shacks were aflutter with clothing of every color of the spectrum, and small fires, over which women were cooking concoctions of doubtful origin, gave off an acrid smeii. The women and older girls were bustling back and forth with that amazingly graceful walk that can only be achieved after years of carrying heavy loads on their heads. The smaller children, who spoke a surprising amount of English, were all vying with each other to act as our guides or to have their picutes taken for, of course, a price. They were, for the most part, unusually attractive children with beguiling and friendly smiles, yet with a subtle maturity in their manner and expression.
Higher up the mountain, we stopped at Le Perchoir for a panoramic view of Port-au-Prince, the Gulf and the Cul-de-Sac plain, all ringed with the high, rugged mountains, From there, we made a stop at the Barbancourt Rum Factory in a beautiful old castle that clings to the
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 6
side of the mountain. There, in the dim coolness of the thick stone walls, amid rich Mediterranean decor, we sampled 17 different flavors of rum liqueur. Several of the flavors were, in all honesty, dreadful, but most were good and several outstanding. And with apologies to the other rum-producing countries of the Caribbean, I must say that Barbancourt is the aristocrat of rums,
On the way down the mountain, we made several stops where we haggled over wood carvings, drums, goatskin rugs, etc. And haggle you must’ This is no time for timidity. Unless you are willing to be "taken", you have to match the perseverance of the vendors with an equal amount of firmness. A number of us made purchases quite satis- factory to both parties, and we all cheered as Germaine Warmke finally talked down the price on a rug to her limit just as our driver was set to pull out.
In Petionville, a charming restaurant offered us an opportunity to relax over a sumpuous lunch and freshen up a bit before going back into Port-au-Prince. In town, we saw the Presidentiait Palace and the Palace Guard, various embassies and parks, the famous status "The Slave" that commemorates the slave revolt that culminated in Haitian independence, statues of severai national heroes, the main Post Office, the lovely wide Boulevard Harry S. Truman that borders the harbour, and everywhere the quaint, colorful camions (small, inex- pensive, decorated, over-crowded local buses). Of course, each stop was met with the ever-present crowd of vendors, and although the day was far too short for all that we wanted to see and do, we were quite sips to head back to the boat for our cool, quiet little island.
I dontt know what it is about shell collectors and shelling trips, but they seem to attract more than their normal share of humorous incidents, and this one was no exception. Every day seemed to bring something different. If it wasn't the daily struggle to communicate with our waiter before starvation set in, it was in trying to get sufficient lemonade for an impromptu party in the McKnight's cottage, a
party thrown specifically to use up a bottle of vodka and at which
the vodka outlasted the lemonade. But the final day, when we were stuck for a couple of hours in that limbo between immigration and the plane, reduced us ail to tears of hilarity. An unsuspecting, German- speaking tourist made the mistake of trying to use Phyilis Welling's large, plastic collecting pail for a trash receptical. The language barrier, as well as the startling humor of it, made any explanation nearly impossible. And to this day, the poor man is no doubt wondering about that seemingly demented American, who was too surprised to do anything but sit there hugging her pais and saying "No, no, nol". Perhaps the strain of laughing was too much for it, but shortly after that, a zipper broke, as they have a way of doing at the worst possible moment. It must have been Corinne Edwards military training that saved the day, because she was the only one with a safety pin handy, thus saving my husband from possible arrest for indecent exposure,
Conchologists of America | Bulletin 4
Haiti is a country so full of surprises and contrasts that each person must necessarily come away with a somewhat different impression. For me, the most vivid memories will always be the cheerfulness and friendliness of the people, in the face of their appalling poverty, But I think, for convenience and safety, anyone thinking of going there for the first time would do well to learn a bit about it before- hand, Roads between the urban areas are poor at best, and sometimes dangerous or , impassable, No tourist should expect to visit for a week or two and cover the whole country from Port-au-Prince to Jeremie, Jacmel and Cap Hatien, although air fare between these cities is quite reasonable, Aside from the usual dysentery, there are several diseases, including malaria, that one should be aware of and take the proper precautions, Sanitary facilities and safe water are virtually non-existent in most of the rural areas, and except for the small children, the peasants generally do not want to be photographed,
At no time did the authorities interfere with our movement or activities, or in any way give us a bard time. Some political refugees reportedly say that conditions in Haiti have worsened, and perhaps for those engaged in political subterfuge, they have. But I think that the point of view of a political refugee might necessarily and expectedly be somewhat colored and biased, and the average tourist would be ina rather different position, with respect to the authorities, than a Haitian who is actively engaged in politics, The present government has instituted some very ' ambitious programs in health, education, sanitation, irrigation, soil conservation, etc. And I certainly believe that no tourist need have any fear of going to Haiti if he is prepared quite simply to behave as a visitor in any country should,
Lee Nelson
ie “Bookfinder
The Bookfinder of this issue of the Bulletin will deal with) a@ single topic - one with which many of you will have had no ex-
perienc e: Microforms.
The term Microforms, in general, is used to mean either Microfilm or Microfiche, and by a greater extension any photographic reproduction of original material in a smaller format. In the formal
sense the ordinary snap-shot is a microform of the view which was
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 8
seen by the camera lens, ani the negative is the first generation microform or the microform master. The first experience that many of the older of us have had with the field of applied microfilming was with the World War II use of "V-mail", which permitted the over- seas transport of almost ten million letters on reels of microfilm in oné single cargo plane. To better conceptualize the weight saving alone that was able to be effected by the use of microfiln, mail tonnaye transported overseas was reduced from 2,700 tons to 31
tons per day during many months of the war years.
For the storage ani retrieval of information the microforms most frequently used are Microfilm and Microfiche. Microfilm is defined, is. the restricted sense in which we are using it in this. report, as document rors Snhotne rorm of roll film, either 16mm Ores >. a1, usuellyeinuro.is of 100 feet, or in some cases iu roll film c-rtridges (a single roll of microfilm can easily contain alt of the information stored in an entire file cabinet drawer) In conjunction with a microfilm reader, records can be searched and
Sore tion located in a Fraction of the time required to zo through Paper records. Inherent within the roll film storage system are great advantages and great drawbacks - the enormous number of images per roll. As 4n example 100° of 16mm film can contain 26,000 Siencard 3% 2 5" file cords or 10,700 letter sizé “ages in a fixed serial order. This means that with an average pave content of books of 400 pp each, a Single roll with a content of 26 standard printed vooks would have to be dealt with every time a single page
reference was required which would be a very burdensome procedure.
Conchologists of America Bulletin Page 9
Changes in any document so stored, additions of new material or information requires the rephotographing of entire rolls of film. Revision or up-dating becomes a very complex and costly procedure
when using roll stored information,
For all of the reasons above, the concept of unitized micro- forms comes to mind, each entire unto itself or at least containing a significant part of the whole sequence of information. At the outset of microform document storage, the number of formats pro- liferated into a vast ani unworkable number each with a different number of pages per unit and with a different reduction ratio from the original. Several formats are still in use, most, for highly specialized uses only, those on tabulating or bookkeeping machine size cards ani those which are designed for microfiche cards only. The tabulating card sized formats are Aperture Cards, each contain- ing a single engineering drawing reduced to approximately 60:1, Which permits the retnetion of drawings in each stage or revision. These are usually augmented by the use of specialized aperture cards with openings for 16mm film strips to contain parts lists, bills of material, specifications etc., which require continuous easy access. Much has been argued a hete past; that this format permits key punching or other machine processing to make use of rapid access or random access filing methods. It is interesting to note, however, that this is beins done in only « very few cases. The especially popular system for microfiche, as the unitized docu- ment recording format, is ia individual 9cm x 12 cm or 105mn x 148.75im size transparancies. All of the various standardized
formats of microfiche have a human readable title area. The very —
Conchologists of America Bulletin 4b Page 10¢
large aumber of formats have been reduced to six, the distinguishing features of which are: 105mm which reduces a single document to a maximum Bir ee 1251 COSATI (Committee of Scientific and Technical Information) which in a format of 5 rows of 12 columns reduces 60, 83" x 11" pages toa maximun 20:1 reduction NMA (The National Microfilm Association) which in a format of 7 rows of.14 columns reduces 98, 8&3 x 11" pages to a maximum reduction of nd DOD (Department of Defense) and (European) which in a format of 5 rows of 12 columns reduces 60, 83" x 14" pages or European Letter Sheets to a maximum 24:1 reduction. In addition, there are two formats which are wi ceemeiae ly packed: “HR Fiche (High Reiluction Fiche) which can condense 2100, ga" x 11" pages in an array of 30 rows of 70 columns to a maximum reduction of 12021 Ultra HR Fiche (Ultra High Reduction Fiche) which can condense 3200, 83" x 11" pages in an array of 40 rows of 80 columns to a maximum reduction ‘of 150:1. The two histh reduction microfiches are expensive to produce, have many of the same drawbacks of microfilm anid also require very highly specialized and expensive readers. Commercially available microfiches are produced in the COSATI, NMA, and DOD formats for which most of the accessible readers are also maie. Microfiche masters (first generation microfiches) are produced by photograph- ing books, pamphlets etc., on either 105mm film in a step and
repeat camera, which produces the entire fiche on a single negative,
Conchologisis of America Bulletin b Page 11
or by using a 16mm roll film camera and cutting the roll negative into strips to produce the master. In both mastering techniques the masters are then reproduced by conventional photographic methods
to yLeld a silver or diazo positive.
In a later issue of the bulletin we will run a survey of the readers, files, and other anciliary equipment used with Microfiche
libraries.
Since the primary purpose of the Bookfinder is to make our. readers aware of library resources, be they in public, private or individual libraries, the rest of this discussion will be devoted to a sampling of some of the Microfiches available from
Inter Documentation Company AC. Poststrasse 14 6300 ZUs Switzerland.
This firm has at poe in excess of 300,000 volumes in "Micro-Library" form in stock. The criteria in choosing material which they haveldecided: to produce iiriiicrofiche are:
4) Difficulty of access (parts of material may be located in widely separated locations) 2) Evidence of Need( material not readily located in ‘the Antiquarian Book market) 3) Recommendation of Scholars in the Field 4) Usefulness in Research 5) In its conventional form, material requires ex-
cessive storage space
oe w)
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA BULLETIN
Secretary-Treasurer Editor
Mrs. Dorothy Janowsky : Mr. Frank J. Nelson
946 Ralph Avenue mM ar init y 95-24 110th Street Brocklyn, N.Y. 11236 a pane Nt Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
ei
On Rare Shells William E. Old,dr.
Conus pyrodens, The Almost Incredible Story Behind the Name Milton Werner
The Bookfinder Frank and Lee Nelson
Another issue of the Bulletin ready to print and we have two firsts - humor in Mike Werner's story of the Fire Tooth Cone, which will not, I hope, be our last laughing look at the shell world. The other first is my illustrations of various --
_ features of Conus odens, don't blame Mike for them. My insertion of my ow “art work" with his article was done with an ulterior motive, to show that we can print line drawing: and sketches. Keep in mind that an article can often be mich improved with an illus- tration, to clarify a point, or with a sketch map of a collecting area. If you do sub- mit an article with sketches or maps, keep them simple and original, please - someone else's illustrations really do not fit your articles as well as your own will. ‘I think that the overall quality of the Bulletin is continuing to improve,
in this issue we have had the benefit of better proofreading to discover the little errors that do creep in. Since I've lost my secretary to matrimony, I'm responsible for any typing "boo-boos" you might find.
Our Fourth Annual Convention will be in Virginia Beach, Virginia this year October th through 7th with the Windjammer Motor Lodge as our base of operations. Of particular interest this year will be the trip to Colonial Williamsburg which figured prominently in the events of 200 years ago. The Field Trip is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the well known Rice's Fossil Pit, which will give many people their first fossiling experience. (Among the best features of a fossiling expedition is that your collecting pail doesn't develop that smell.) If you haven't already gotten the inform- ation on the Convention, write directly to Dorothy Janowsky. For what it's worth, Lee and I have done some vacation juggling and will be able to attend this year. We're looking forward to meeting those of you that we haven't met before and renewing our acquaintence with the rest.
See you then!
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 2
Speaking out Frank J. Nelson
It's real fun to be the editor of a publication like the Bulletin but it | does carry with it a degree of responsibility, as indeed any "ego trip" does. We are carrying in this iesue a review of a book that I didn't care for. As I did not like thie) book, I asked my wife Lee to read it too; the review as it appears is our combined effort.
All of that preamble is to introduce this explanation of the way in which I feel an editor's or a reviewer's responsibility operates. If one reads a book, thought- | fully, and reviews it favorably, in whatever terms, then everyone concerned is happy - Author, Publisher, Bookseller and Reading Audience. If on the other hand one decides that a favorable review is not proper, a decision has been made which has its effect on the livelihood of three members of that chain, and a regard for them compels an entire- ly different point of view. It is not enough to take the easy way out and ignore the very existance of the book, inasmuch as the reviewer's first responsibility is to the reader and not the writer. Neither can one, in good conscience, write a glib and facile "put-down" of the work. A regard for the author and the reader as well requires a full and thoughtful criticism of all of these reasons for which a book requires such a review. Further, if any one purchases a book on the recommendation of the reviewer, | it lies on the reviewer to see that hard-earned money is not wasted on a book not worthy | of ite price. | Minor mistakes or mishaps will appear in any book, and even errors of fact of | a minor nature weigh little in a work of generally good quality. If the errors and other lapses in a book are so pervasive as to render it not only of small value, but are perhaps so bad as to generate opinions or impart information which are grossly false and misleading, then this mst be covered at greater length and with more care. No author approaches the writing of a book without a certain amount of vanity showing, thougt if one has something of value to pass on to the reader, vanity is not a grievous fault. | When, on the other hand, an author has no more reason to write than the display of vanity then this is not enough, by a very large margin, to justify the cutting down of the first tree to produce the paper on which to print it.
For those of you who haven't heard of them there are several publishing firms called in the trade "vanity presses", organized to prowide the authors of utter trash with an avenue to having a book published, and for this service the author guarantees a minimum sale. I am not accusing either this author or this publisher of this practice, but I am pointing out that there are factors other than real value that inspire the production of books.
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 3
On Rare Shells by William E. Old, Jr
Not long after I came to the Museum a well-known Florida collector wrote, "How I envy you being there at the Museum and everyone coming in with their rare shells? I replied that this sounded like wishful thinking. In the past decade, rar- ities or so-called rare shells have materialized at the rate of about one per year. In every case, the shell brought or sent was directly from the country of origin. Thet old sheli from the attic or grandma's whatnot stand wes proved to be just that w------ merely an old shell (and of no particular value). To the novice, literally any cylindrically shaped gastropod shell is a " Glory-of-the-Sea Cone" and any Cowrie Shell is invariably envisioned as being a long lost specimen of Cypraea leucodon. As I recall,the first pergon to bring in a genuinely rare specimen was a collector who had just purchased a Cypraea langfordi and wanted to show it to me.
An associate, Anthony D'Attilio, once obtained a specimen of Cymatium ranzanii, a species that had been described in 1851 and was unobtainable for years. Tony's specimen had been collected in Mozambique. Later, in breaking up an old dis- play of shells, a shell from an old collection and labeled as Cymatium femorale, turned out to be a specimen of Cymatium ranzanii.e A second similar case was that of a collector who had shown me a dextral (right-handed) specimen of Busycon contrarium that he had collected in the Ft. Mrers Beach area. In removing a dusty shell labeled Busycon carica from another display, I felt that it was actually another dextral spec- imen of Busycon contrarium. Here were two "sleepers" found on the premises.
Two guesses that proved to be correct were in a small parcel received from a contact in Zanzibar. I mused that perhaps it would contain a specimen of Cymatium ranzanii., Then opened the parcel to find that the guess had been correct. A second guess was the receipt of a small registered parcel from a friend in Florida. Cypraea surinamensis was my thought, since the sender owned one. Bingo! He had sent the shell as a gift to the museun,
A small air mail packet from the Solomon Islands yielded two specimens of Conus gloria-maris. Other parcels from the same source produced a total of five
Conus gloria-maris, one Cypraea auriantum and a Casamariaevibex. The Islander hasn't been heard from since, evidently having retired on the income from the seven shelis.
An American lady stopped at the miseum on returning from the Republic of Somalia, "I think that I have a specimen of Strombus oldi in my knapsack," she said. She had surmised correctly and later presented the shell to the Museum. Collectors Sometimes inquire where they can obtain a specimen of my "namesake." Actually there
Conchologists of America Bulletin 9 Page 4
is no source of supply. The few known specimens of this species in this country have been brought back, or sent back, by Americans living in the Republic of Somalia.
A few years ago, an American who had collected off Jiddah, South Arabia, brought in an assortment of shells. His Cypraea talpa proved to be a 77mm. specimen
of Cypraea exusta, a rather rare species emdemic to the Red Sea. (Later he returned to ask, “are you sure that ien't Cypraea talpa?" ) Incidentally, one shell waste- land is the Persian Gulf, long ballyhooed as a home of rare shells. Records in the literature, lists from expeditions and reports of people who have Lived and collected there have produced very little in the way of shells and no "rarities", The Guif water is hot, fairly shallow and with a high inflow of silt and fresh water from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. A medical missionary who spent a residence at a hospital in Bahrain considered it a sheller's disaster, Collectors residing there have stopped in with common shells such as Cypraea caurica and Conus pennaceus and stated that "Two
of these have been found by our group in three years."
Photographs of two shells from the Philippines proved to be of Cypraea leucodon, a legencary species known only from Broderip's type in the British Museum and a second specimen at Harvard University. The precise locality for the species had been unknown, South Africa hawing been a much repeated error. This specimen was later purchased by John E. DuPont. The second Corrie in the photographs, an unnamed species ex pisc., was obtained by Crawford Cate, described as Cypraea porteri (after the collector) and deposited in the California Academy of Sciences.
Another Cypraesa, received in an assortment from Muscat, Arabia, proved to be exciting. It was a specimen of Cypraea teulerei, an Indian Ocean species, some- what similar to Cypraea ms from the lower Caribbean area, The one received was, to my knowledge, the first to be collected in the 20th century end with reliable local- ity data. All old existing specimens in collections were usually labelec as having come from "Mocha, Yemen" in the Red Sea. Later I was told to keep the shell as others had been found. Since then, the supply of Cypraea teulerei has caught up with demand. This ia also the cage with Tibia martinii and Strombus listeri. Many of the deep water Gulf of Mexico shelis that were formerly collector's items are now commonplace, So rare shells come and rarity goes -~--- or Sic transit gloria maris}|
Tllustrations and Further Reading
Cate, Crawford. A new Cowrie species from the Southern Philippines. Veliger January 1966, pp 200~-201,pl. 29.
Emerson, William K. Strembus (Tricornis) oldi. Indo-Pacific Mollusca,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 5 Apr. 30th 1965 pp 397-398
Emerson, W.K. and Anthony D'Attilio, Remarks on Triton ranzanii. American Museum Novitates, Oct. 10th 1962, pp 1-8
Emerson, W.K. and W. Old. Jr. New Records for Cypraea surinamensis. Navtilu’, July 1965, pp io Pile Je Hawaiian Shell News Cymatium renzanii. Dec 1963 p. 43 Jane 196 p. 83 Feb. 1971, pe7 Cypraea leucodon. Oct. 1965, p3 (Also photo National Geographic Magazine, Mar. 1969,
pe 415) Cypraea porteri. Oct. 1965, Pode
Strombus oldi. Oct 1965, p.53 Nov. 1966, p. 7. Conus gloria-maris. July 1966, pp. ,5,73 Sept. 1970, pp. 1, 3-7» Cypraea tevleri. June 196, p.23 Sept. 1969, pe i,lig July 1970, p. 3.
Strombus listeri .Feb. Pg Pe gh. soy tak, pe 106
Bee five years ago Mr. Earl Reed, curator of the springfield (Massachusetts ) Museum of Science, spoke at the New York Shell Club on the subject of rare shells, Mr. Reed remarked upon the flexible meaning of the word rare as applied to shells. There are three "catch-all" categories as it applies to rare shells:
First, biological, or actual, in number- relict species~ or those from inaccessible habitats,
Second, economic, by virtue of the Law of Supply and Demand, command high prices because of popular appeal--- usually because of attractive appearance.
Third, Artificial or Created, those which are surrounded by an aura of romanticism, as in the case of Sone Bore Stimulated by dealere in the Sales lists, which is usually a measure of the dealer's own enthusiasm. Residual as in the cage of shells once really rare in collections, which still are listed by the trade as rare long after the supply has risen to meet the demand. In the eye of the dealer ‘any shell is rare if in fact he hasn't seen it before. CONUS PYRODENS : The at Ticredibie Faced aa, the amen by Milton Werner
_ Conus pyrodens, the "fire-tooth" cone, was named by the malacologist who
was on the scene when divers brought up the first specimens in the western reaches of the Pacific Ocean, in 1902. The location was Nobi Kini Atoll, one of the links that make up Paramnesia, the palm-studded chain between Polynesia and Paronomasia. The scientist was Dr. Colus Stimsoni, chancellor of the Haywood University Marine Biotics Umbrella Group. Little did he suspect, early on a certain tropical morning, that he was soon to see a behavioral feature of a new species raised to high drama,
culminating in miltiple mortality.
Stimsoni owed his presence on that remote ring of sand to the understanding
c
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 6 and generosity of his brother-in-law, Deere John. John was the famed inventor of agricultural machinery, known half the world around for such innovations as his steam~ driven compost heap. Knowing well the dreams and frustrations that warred beneath Stimsoni's academic languor, Jolin had given him checque blanche - and also, one might pun, chart blanche ~ for exploration into the mysteries of molluscan life.
So Stimsoni had chosen this far archipelago, and on the historic day was conducting a faunal survey of the atoll's reef, employing local divers. Within minu- tes of their first descent, there flashed the opening scene in a fantasmagoria of disaster. One diver was seen by another to snatch his hand out of a crevice as if in dire pain, his entire frame then flailing into a frenzy infinitely more eloquent of anguish. As the observer described this seizure, it met have rivalled the skit- terings of a panicked scallep. Mercifully, the macabre underwater ballet was quickly ended by the soothing hand of death.
The nature of the agsagsin remained a mystery only for minutes. A third diver, meanwhile, had collected a large Conus, thoughtlessly adding it to the amalgam in a cloth sack at his waist. He then returned to the beach, the bag now dangling against his leg. Suddenly, with a tortured scream, he pinwhealed into the air. Before touching the sand again, he executed a variety of muscular and vocal exertions that constricted the hearts of witnesses. The writhing wretch was’ airborne twice more before his shrieks congealed into a death rattle.
While the appalled spectators were examining the contorted remains ~- and discovering the offending Conus - a second specimen was beached. This one was brought up safely in a bucket, but was left unattended as the diver joined the post mortem.
It was the il] fertune of the resident beachcomber, as he approached this tableau, to pass the bucket. Long habit lead him to swoop for the bauble his eye had caught-- but habit had not prepared him to handie a living prize. Barely had he seized it when he convulsed into his rendition of death by internal flame. And his terrifying interpretation was not the last.
His instant, involuntary response had been to fling away the shell. It flew toward another approaching onlocker, a tourist whom pitiless fate decreed would be none other than F.x. "Shanty" Schneckwerfer, star shortstop of the Punxsutawney,
Pa. Groundhogs,. Taken unaware, he too reacted automatically, expertly snaring the wide throw and whirling for the relay to first base. Now Shanty was a rarity among shortstops - a southpaw. This, the cognoscenti said, was all that kept him out of the big leagues. Worse, it was what sent him to the Big Ballpark before his time.
To throw to his left, he first had to pivot 90 degrees, consuming a tick of time that proved too long. As he released the shell he was seen to yank his hand back, and fling himself into a wrenching fandango that heavily outpointed the galvanic gym- nastics of the howling scavenger,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 7
Destiny's crooked deck held one more Ace of Spades. Schneckwerfer's quick eye had located a "first baseman" - a chance bystander later identified ag an area representative of Paramnesia's Food and Eetel Administration. This portly worthy "caught" Shanty's last,perfect peg with his abdomen. The outraged mollusk, briefly buried in the cushiony facade, loosed another jolt of liquid lightning, and the FBA man joined in the calisthenics of terminal torment.
And thus the kaleidoscopic calamity had at last played itself out. The score for pyrodens on the occasion of its discovery: two ekin divers, a remittance man, a sinistral shortstop, and a poi inspector. The much-tossed shell is a featured exhibit in the South Pacific Archibenthic Science Museum. Its placard, possibly written by a cricket fan, earnestly gives it credit for a triple play, 5-6-3.
Through all of the acrobatic agonizing, Stimsoni had admirably retained his scientific detachment. His expedition log comments, for example: "Baseball player, uncommonly agile, achieved backflip with half twist." and, "Durations of four observ- able paroxyams, per watch and chain: 18, 11,20 and 1h seconds."
A few weeks after the unflappable investigator's return to Hayward ( where he occupied the Jacques Costaud Chair of Dramatic Paramalacology ) he found himself beset by two vexations. One was the immediate necessity for choosing a name for his virulent new Conus, since his paper deacribing it was overdue at the print shop. He had intended to name it for his benefactor, but his sister, Mrs. John, had suddenly quit the tycoon's bed and board, leaving behind only a Dear John letter - literally, a Dear Deere letter ~- and the bulkier furniture.
The second affliction wae a toothache that made comentration difficult. But tenacity brought success, "In the nick of time," Stimsoni wrote later, "inspir- ation struck. It occurred to me that every time I thought of this shell, I would think of tie fiery pain in that tooth. So I decided to be philosophical about it, and name the species in memory of the toothache."
ar grange yet gree eteheny ea ne etn | ae ma 7 aia > fe de ne ae ae at 1 j ? a ie) j H f \ { Gtrot dprp less ty phe gee} i 4 . eeepc anpamanesss ethene t aT RR EE ee ; » praten ft *. H } ! | j a Aan ee Desewy ‘ f I } ' { i } — he “ ° “ OPEL ALTA AOI oe
Conus pyrodens ( x ¥ )
| mm
The first known SEM illustration of the racula tooth of Conus pyrodens
Bulletin 5
Conchologists of America
(he ‘Bookfinder
This issue will have a slight departure from the normal bookfinder format, in that there will be reviews of two new books as well as the continuation of the microfiche article from last issue.
The Collector's Encyclopedia of Shells, Edited by S. Peter Dance. 288pp.
McGraw Hill Book Co., New York $19.95
S. Peter Dance's previous books have prepared us for this valuable and handsome volume. The title gives us the best clue to the intent of this Encyclop- edias it is a reference guide to the shell collector, world-wide in scope, organized in systematic order within an encyclopediac format. The word encyclopedia is perhaps a "loaded" one in the sense that one might expect that every species of mllusc is covered by this small volume.
One of the major values of this book lies in the exclusive use of color photographs associated with the descriptions of virtually all of the approximately 2000 species covered. An identification key illustrated in color and an index by family, genus and species are both provided. Mr. Dance has also included some pop- ular names, but only those which are in relatively common or general use, and in do- ing so he has avoided, what is to me patronizing, use of directly translated versions of the binomial scientific names. A very rough guide to occurrance is given by indic- ating ~ common, frequent, uncommon and rare - which are not to be considered in any way a statistically probable analysis of the numbers to be found either in collections or in life. Geographical distribution is lumped within 16 well established zoogeograph- ical provinces. In the introduction Mr. Dance touches upon ‘systematics, biology, structure, collecting, preparation, identification and the history of shell collect- ing.
Several errors are easy to find, the photographs are not all of a uniform quality and some captions are transposed. While this reduces the value of the book to a Slight degree, the overall, value is in no great degree diminished. Some of the names are incorrect, which does impair its usefulness to many collectors.
On the whole Mr. Dance has put together a very useful book, a sort of Baedecker of the most popular families and species which come to the collector's attention, but, as with any other such guide book the value is in giving general dir- ections, not specific addresses.
Conchologists of America Bulletin 9 Page 9
Mindful of the professional background of the author's husband I mst preface the following book review by pointing out that I, as editor and as reviewer, Frank J. Nelson alone have the responsibility for any actionable statements made in either the review or in my editorial which also appears in this issue. All of the comments are made reepecting the public peraona of Mrs. Hodgson and are not in any way to be construed as touching in any way upon her private persona.
The Spell of the Shell, by Martha Keeling Hodgson,
Hawthorne Books, Inc., New York $14.95
If a picture ia, as they say, worth a thousand words, the one on the dust- cover of this book is surely worth many thousends. Over the years, many attempts have been made, usually unsuccessfully, to explain the "lure", the "fascination", or to use the author's word, the "spell" of the seashell. And the soft muted colors and simplic- ity of this picture say it all, perhaps because of and not in spite of the gross imper= fection in the shell. Subtly, indefinably, without a word being said, the spell is cast.
Then cne opens the book, and the spell is shattered. I have tried in vain to find one redeeming feature, a cingle justification for this book's ever having been written. But before concentrating on the book, a further word about the dust-cover,.
At first glance, it appears that either this is a very unusual Strombus gigas or the picture is reversed. But closer examination reveals that what appears to be a broken lip is evidently a hole in the back of the shell, with the lip facing away from the camera.
Except for Mrs. Hodgson's arrogant comments on the "repulsive" and "stupe- fyingly hideous" shell pictures that she saw in Florida, I wouldn't otherwise comment too harshly on hers. I do not, myself, care for shell pictures or shell art, and I don't find hers any better or any worse than mort. But I recognise this as a subject- ive expression of personal taste, and it is most fortunate for irs. Hodgson that not everyons shares my tastes. I would like to think that not everyone shares hers. But wether these pictures are sold at Upper Grosvenor Gallery or at a flea-market on the streets of New York, their value is not enhanced or diminished. Nor does the fact that many, if not mst, of Mrs. Hodgson's customers are members of the titled gentry or or the upper social and economic strata attest to their worth. Good taste does not neces- sarily go hand in hand with position and/or wealth, a fact well borne out by Mrs. Hodgson tasteless and ill-mannered remarks about the shell art of Florida,
As to the book in general, it is basically a travelogue, and since I havn't
had the good fortune to visit most of these places, I can't comment on her descriptions of them. I can only hope that her powers of observations on people, countries, and
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 10 cultures is more accurate than her observations on shelis. The book is replete with
inaccuracies, misinformation, misconceptions, half-truths and the perpetuation of myths, not to mention a redundancy or two. }
For example, on page 55, Mrs Hodgson reports the finding of a cone that was believed at first to be " the common lettered variety ( Conus litteratus) ", but which later was found to have " Two additional rows of brown spots, turning it into a collect- or's item, the Conus capitansus. " I wish that I understood Mrs. Hodgson's criteria for a " collector's item" as it applies to shells. Perhaps I've been wrong in assuming that any shell, however humble and common it may be, is potentially a collector's item. But if the implication is that C. capitaneus is a much morevaluable shell, then Mrs. Hodgson has much to learn indeed. Although C. capitaneus and C. litteratus are about equal in rarity and price (both are common and low-priced), the similarity ends there. They Share no resemblance whatsoever, and I fail to see how anyone could even momentarily confuse them.
On pages 36 and 37, there is an illustration, purportedly, of a growth series of Murex radix. It takes but a glance to see that the six shelis are not all M. radix. And page 61 describes the finding of a Coms virgo, which, when'"scraped clean is a tender pink". I have not had the good fortune to own, or even see, a pink C. virgo, and diligent searching has not turned up a single book that describes it as being pink. That would be a most interesting and desirable variety.
Page 61 also relates one of the author's most astonishing finds, Nerita peloronta in Fijil Her humility and restraint in reporting this important fact is aston- ishing. Perhaps she didn't realize that she would electrify the malacological world by extending the range of this common Caribbean mollusk by many thousands of miles, across a@ land mass and an entire ocean. And 80 on, ad nauseum.
The purpose of this review “s not to engage in nit-picking. Any shell book, however authoritative and excellent it may be, is bound to contein a few errors. The purpose is, however,to assist the reader in selecting books which will have value in his library.
With great modesty and appropriate hamility, Mra. Hodgson disclaims any qual- ification as either a conchologist or a malacologist and describes at great length her rather recent "collision" with the mollusk. But from this point on, she casts modesty to the winds and proceeds, with a heavy-handed pseudo-expertise, to demolish her pre- vious disclaimer,
The outbreak of hostilities between Mrs. Hodgson and the mollusk appears to have occurred about the time that she was first confronted with her, then, future hus- band's shell collection. Patrick Hodgson's collection is said to be " a near perfect collection of shells from the beaches of West Florida", assembled painstakingly over the years during a series of visits to the area. One wonders why, then, this book
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 1] shows no evidence of the application of a restraining or guiding hand. Can it be that
Mrs. Hodgson is one of those gung-ho, aggreseive, "capable" women who tolerates no suggestion or interference from any one, but rather charges ahead with the supreme and Godegiven knowledge that she cannot be wrong? Going beyond the numerous breaches of fact, in a narrative type book such as this, we must also comment on style. Mrs. Hodgsen writes in a stilted and pompous man sprinkling her prose with much ostentatious name-dropping. If a person's title or pos- ition is relevant to the point being made, then he or she should be so identified in the text. If the title or position is not pertinent, then accenting it by footnoting _ ds offensive and pretentious. Few people, apart from the author's relatives and close friends, give a tinker 's dam whether or not Mra. Hodgson is on close enough terms with Count and Countess So-and-So to call them Cuddles and Poopsey. A gratuitous bit of gossip (since it could only refer to one of several people) is offered in the rather lengthy reporting of a conversation between Mrs. Hodgson and the Queen Mother (N.B. no first name or pet name here), a conversation which would, in all likelihood, have gone unreported had it taken place with the kitchen maid. Mrs. Hodgson sadly reports that, in all probability, her collecting days are about at an end, and that, with the passing years, bending has become somewhat difficult. One can only doubt that she ever found it easy. -
a ne nn (iB
“fo conclude the listing of Microfiche reprints of the Molluscan clasics that was begun in the last issue, the following Monographs are available:
MONOGRAPHS Adams, H. and A. Adams. *he genera of recent mollusca: arranged according to their organization. London (1853-) 1858. MOGs eects ar ody Ol. (aceOky Baker, *.¥%. The mollusca of the Chicago area. Pt. 1: The Pelecypoda (Chicago Acad. sCis, Nat. Hist. Surveys. Bull nr 3 pt VetCoG. i 30DDee 7 Dlses..| map.)., 2257/2, Sir 22 (8.24)
Barnard, k.eH. Contributions to the knowledge of South African marine
mollusca. Ft a Gastropoda, Prosobranchiata, Toxozlossa. (Annals of the “outh Africen Museum. Ve. 44 1958 ptel,
OP's 7i-10S en) Pdelnn ebeife Sir 9 (337)
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 12
Bartsch, FP. Report on the Turton Collection of South African marine mollusks. (U.Svglate Muss, (biddie. neweo) eis a. 305 pp, 54 plse) 2-392/2 Sfr 20 (7-49)
Bolton, J.“. Museum Boltenianuum. Pars secunda coutinens Conchylia (P.F. Roeding, id.) Preface by A.A.H. Lichtenstein (Reprint of the 1798 edition, with an Introductory note by C.D. Sherborn and 4.2. Sykes).(London, °1906) VIII, 199 pp. 2252/2 Sfr 1h (502k)
Bowerbunk, Jeo. Observations on the structure of the shells of molluscous ani conchiferous animals,Londion, 1844 34pp., 5 pls (Trans. Microscop., Soc. V1).
Z-439/2 Sir 7 (2.62)
Broderip, Wad. Species Conchyliorun, or‘ concise original descrip- tions and observations London, LOSULN tite D eaneiane il eo Sir meh. 12)
Carpenter, P.P. Lectures on mollusca. Prepared for the Smithsonian Institution. Washington, 18661 149 pp. (Aun. Pept. Smithsonian Institution. 1661) 4-4607/2 Sfr 11 (4.12)
Carpenter, W.B. Report on the microscopic structure of shells. London, 1845. 2hpp. 20 pl. (Brit. Assco. Rept. 16h4 (1845) Z-406/2 OLY 2 Ge)
Catlow, A. and Reeve, L.A. The conchologists nomenclature. London, 1645. VIII, 326pp Z2-468/2 Sfr 16 (5.99)
Challenger, HMS "Challenger" Expedition, London, (1878-1883) 20 pts.
| Mollusea By R.b. Wwatsou (vourn. Linn. Soc. London,
Loolosy V 1h=17) %-852/2 Sfr 18 (6.74)
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 13
Chenu sie: Lecons éfemehtaives d'thistorie naturelle, comprenant un apercu sur toute la zoology et un traite de conchy- liolozie Paris 1847 LXXXVII, 283pp, 12 pls. 2-469/2 ert ey Ost
Chenu, J.C. Manuel de couchyliologie et de paleontologigque. Paris 1859-1862 2 vols. 2-470/2 Sfr 53 (19.85)
Conrad, T.A. Fossil shells of the Tertiary formations of North America. "epublication Ed. with an introduction by W.H. Dall. Philadelphia, 1693 136 pp., 49 pl. Z-478/2 Str th (5.24)
Conrad, T.A. New fresh water shells of the United States, Phila-
delphia, 1834., 76pp. 9 plas #2~h77/2" Sto (3.37)
Dall, WeH. A monograph of the mollusca fauna of the Orthaulax pugnax zone of the Oligocene of Tampa, Fla. (United States National Museum Bulletin no. 90 1915.XV 173 pp., 26 pls.) Z-489/2 Sfr 14 (5.24)
Dall, \.H. And Bartsch, P.. A monozraph of ijest American Pyramidellid Mollusks (United Gtates National Museum, Bulletin no. 66, 1909, XII, 258 pp., 30 pls.) 4+165/2 Sfr._ 16 (5.99)
Dall, WeH. and Simpson, C.T. The Mollusca of Puerto Rico. (Bull. of the U.S. Fish Comm. 1900 V., 20pp., 351452, pls 53-58). Z2-165/2 Sfr 16 (5.99)
Dillwyn, Lei. A descriptive catalosue of recent Shells. Lonion, 1817. 2 vols. XII, 1092 (29) pp. 2496/2 Sfr 46 (17.23)
Forbes, B and S.C.T. Hanley. A history of British Mollusca and
their Shells. London (1848-) 1853. 4 Vols. Z2-532/2
Page 14 Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 g
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esaninenisten: H.H. Land ani Freshwater mollusca of India: London, 1882-1920. 3 vols. text, 3 vols. pls. Z-540/2 Sfr 66 (24.72)
uosse, P.H, Wwatural History. Mollusca. London 1854 VIII 328 pp. Z2-541/2 Sfr 16 (5.99)
Gould, A.A. Otia Concholo,tica: lescriptions of shells and mollusks, from 1839-1862. Loston, 1862 256pp. 4-542/2 Sfr 1h (5.2h)
Gray, MoE. Figures of molluscous animals, selected from various authors. London. (1842-) 1857 (1859) 5 vols. pn 5542/2 Sfr 37 (13.86) | ere |
Haldeman, S.S. ™ monograph of the Limniades an other fresh water univalve shells of North America. Philadelphia 1840, 1842, 1844, (1849) pt. 1-8. 2-561/2 Sfr 16 (5.99)
Hanley, S. Ipsa Linnaei Conchylia Tondon 1855. 556 pp. 5 pls.
Z=-564/2 Sfr 24 (8.99)
Harris, G.D. and al van Winkle. New or otherwise interesting tertiaury
molluscan Species from the east coast of America. + (Bue Kmerice ny Paleontolosy, Cornell Univ. 1919, V.8
ure 33, 32 pp., 3 pls) Z2-568/2 Sfr 7 (2.62)
Hidalzo, J.G. Obras Malacolo,;icas. Parte I, Estudios préelimninarers
la fauna malacolojsica de las I Slas Pilipinas. (Mem. teal. Ac. de Ciensias, Medrid. Ve1h. 1690-1901. IX. 632pp., 31 pls. 233 ills.) 2-578/2 Sfr 46 (17.23)
Jeffreys, J.G.. British Conchology, or an account of the mollusca
which now inhabit the British Isles and the surrounding
seas. London, 1862-1869 5 vols. Z~587/2 peas Nay fA Se Bi
Jeffreys, J.G..0n the mollusca procured during the "Liz
htning” and
"Porcupine" expeditions. Loudon, 1878-1885. 9pts. (Proc.
_ 4008. Socl. Loniton, 1878-1885). 2-588/2 Sfr 18 (6.74)
Conchologists of America Bulletin: 5 Page 15
Keep, J. West American Shells. San FPdiei tty 190k. 360 ppe 1 ple Z2-595/2 Sfr 18 (6674)
Kiener, L.C. Species general et iconographie des co.uilles vivantes, comprenant la collection du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Paris, (1834-) 1873-1880 11 vols. Z-597/2
Sfr 191 (71.53)
Kobelt, W. Illustrirtes Conchylienbuch Nurnberg, 1880-1681 6217/2 Sfr 9.(3.37)
Lamarck, J.8.A.P.M. de,. Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertebres Ed 1. Paris 1815-1822. 7 vols. Z2-319/2 Sfr 145 (54.30)
Lea, H.C. Catalogue o: the tertiary Testacea of the United states,
Philadelphia. (1843)-1646 48 pp., 4 pls. (Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., New Series, V, IX) Z-609/2 Sfr 9 (3.37) innate. C. Systema Naturae. Ed 13, aucta, reformata, cura J.Fe. | Gmelin. Lipsiae, 1788-1793. 3 vols. 440/2 Sfr 246 (92.13) Martini, F.H.\.. and J.H. Chemnitz. Systematisches Conchvlien-Cabinet. New herausgegebei und vervollstandigt von H.C. Kuster. Nurnberg 1637-1920 2165/2 Sfr 1360 (516.81) : areal: The Linneau system of Coucholozy, describing the orders, genera and species of shells. London 1823 XV, 207pp.,, 37 pls. 5606/2 Sfr 16 (5.99) Perry, G. Conchology, or the natural history of shells: containing a new arrangement of the genera and species. Loudon, 1811 61 pls with descriptive letterpress. Z2~705/2 Sfr 20 (7.49) Pfeiffer, L.G.C. and S. Clessin, Womenclator Heliceorum viveutium.
Cassellis, (1878-) 1881. 617 pp. Z-719/2 Sfr 66 (24.72)
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 16
Philippi, .A. aAbbildungen und Beschreibungen ee, a oder wenig bekannter Conchylien. Cassel (1842-) 1845-1851. 3 vols. 2166/2 Sfr 66 (24.72)
Philippi, %.4. Handbuch der Conchylioloie und Malacozoologie. Halle 1853 XX, 547 pp. 2502/2 Sfr 22 (8.24)
Rafinesque-Schmaltz, C.S. *he complete writings of C.S. Rafinesque on recent ani fossil conchology. Ed. by lieu. Biuney and Geu. Tryon. New York, 1864 96, 7pp., 3 pls. 2-735/2 Sfr, 9..(3237)
Rafines. ue-Schmaltz, C.S. Monograpnie des couuilles bivalves
~ fluviatiles le la riviere Ohio. (Ann. Gen. Sci. Phys.,
1820. V5 pp 287-322, 3 nls.) Z—-panye it ese)
Reeve, L.A. Concholo sia Systematica, or complete system of Conchology Loudon, 1641-1542 2 vols. 300 pls. 2167/2 Sfr 53 (19.85)
Reeve, L.A. Blements of Concholoy. London, (1846-) 1860 2 vols. Z-7hh/2 Sir 27 (10.11)
Say, T. American concholo-y, or descriptions of the shells of ° horth America. New Harmouy, tndiana. 1630-1834. 7 pts
_ (258)pp., 68 pls. 2-767/2 Sfr 18 (6.74)
Snith, S. On the mollusca of Peconic ani Gariiner's Bays, Long Island, ‘ew York. (Ann. Nat. Hist. of Wew York, 1862. V 7epp 147-168. 2 pls.) 2-794/2 Sfr 7 (2.62)
Sowerby, Geb. #& cataloue of the shells contained in the collection | of the lite Earl of Tankerville. London 1825, VII, 92 | XXXIV pp. 9 pls. Z2-796/2 Sfr 14 (562k)
‘Sowerby, Gob. The Vonchological Illustrations. London (1832-) 1844,
IV 116 pp. 200 pls. 2-797/2 Sfr 24 (5.99)
Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page 17
Sowerby, G.B. A concholo,ical ead anion gos Le Ee Ets ac te a oj pe 2 tab. 24 pls. Z2-798/2 Sfr 16 (5.99) ae Sowerby, GB. Illustrated Index of british Shells. London, 1659. XV pp. 24 pls. Z-800/2 Sfr 14% (5.24) Sowerby, U.f. Marine Shells of South africa. Loudon 1092 IV, &9 pp, 5 pls. 4-801/2 Sfr 13 (4.87) Sowerby, +.B. Popular British Concholoyy. London 1854 XII 394 pp. 20 pls. 2-799/2 Sfr 14 (5.24) Sowerby, Gk. Thesaurus Conchyliorun, or fissures and descriptions of recent shells. Londou. (1842-) 1847-1887 5 vols. 2505/2
By Sines palo. 77)
Stearns, F. A list of mollusca and other forms of marine life collected in 1889-90, in Japan. Detroit 1891. 19 (1) pp., 1 pl. Z-815/2 Sfr 7 (2.62) 7
Stimpson, WwW. Shells of New England. Boston 1851 56(1) pp. 2 pls. Z-818/2 Sfr 9 (3.37)
Swaiusou, WwW. “xotic conchology. Id. 2. (S.Hanley, Rd.) London, 1641. 39ppe»w 45, pls. 2506/2i5ir th” (5.24)
Swaluson, w, A treatise on malacolo-‘y; or the natural classifi- cation of shells ail sheil fish, London 1340, VIII, L419 ppe 2-825/2 Sfr 18 (6.74)
Terver, AP. Catalozue des mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles, observes dans les possessions Francaises au nord de}! Afrique. Paris, Lyou, 1639 39 ppe, 4 pls. 2-832/2 Sfr 7 (2.62)
Theobald, W, Catalogue of the lan! and freshwater shells of Brigish India. Calcutta, 1876. II, 65ppe 2-295/2 Sfr 11 (4.11)
NDADY
FIELD MUSEUM LIBRA
Conchologists of America Bulletin 9 ; Page 18
Tryon, Gewe A monograph of the terrestrial mollusca inhabiting the United States. Philadelphia. 1866 (Am. Journ. of Conch. V 2. 8Opp., 27 pls.) 2170/2 Sfr 11 (4-11)
Tryon, Ge. Structural and systematic concholozy; an introduction to the study of the mollusca. Philadelphia. 1862-1884. 3 vols. 2-840/2 Sfr. 61 (22.84) )
Whitfield, ®.P. Mollusca ani Crustacea of the miocene formations of hew Jersey. (mouographs Geol. Survey. U.©., Washington, 1394. Vol 2h; 495pp., 5 piss) sabe serie (Ogi
Wollastou, T.V. Testacea Atlantica; or the land ant evestwatan
‘ ’ shells of the Azores, Madeiras, Salvazes, Canaries,
Cape Verdes, en Sache Helena, London 1878, XI, 588 pp. 2-877/2 Sfr 27 (10.11)
Wood, uw. General coucholoxy, or a description of shells arranged according to the Linnean System. Loudon 1835 DAL; ‘7, IV, 2h6pp. 60 pls. 4880/2 Sfr 24 (S18)
Woods, ¥.%. Teuison - The Hiolluscan Fauna of Tasmania. (Journ. ROye Soc. New South Wales, Sydney, 1678. V, 12, 28bp.) o+883/2 Sfr 7° (2.62)
wyman, ¥. Fresh-water shell mounds of the vt. vohns "iver, Florida (Mem. Peabody Ac. Sci., Sdlem, 1875 V1Nr. 4} VIII,
(5 + 9h pps, Y pls., 1 map.) Z24888/2 Sfr 13 (4.87) Note in the above list the symbol /2 means that the size of the
Microfiche plate is 9 em x 12 ems.
b k
f
Secretary/ Treasurer 7 Editor
Kathleen Daniels Frank J. Nelson
121 Stephens Lane 95-24 110th Street
Verona, Ps. 15147 Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
CONTENTS
Speaking Out F, Nelson Bee A Foul Story R, Aronson P 3 A Field Trip to the Keys M, Hughes P 4 Information, Please WmrabniOld, Jr. P 6 American Museum "Mollusks and Mankind'' aa M,. Werner z= 10 Self Guided Field Trip em ATR TTY rs ||) W. Redford Pll tt ‘A ' nal \ \/ 1 1 \\ \ Map to locate Rice's Fossil Pits yi \ Leal \\| P 12 Exoskeletons in the Family | Closet | M, Werner 3 Bye Law/ Constitution Vote (psue. e 92 BY! “ | P14 C.O.A, Convention 1975 Yo VOY ® _, D, Janowsky P15 Minutes of the Business Meeting |,.,cr\\\\ LIBRAN! =D, Janowsky P 16 c\ELD MUSEU C,O,A, Treasurers Report FIL D, Janowsky rhe The Bookfinder F, & L. Nelson boo The 1975 Ccavention Program F, Nelson Pee
This is a pretty full issue, and it's the first one typed on our new machine, which should reproduce better than the old one did, You'll notice though that the letter ''M"' on certain of the pages seemingly jumps all over the lines, that has been repaired at some considerable loss of time and the machine can now produce quite good looking copy, The new Typewriter is an IBM Executive model and has ~more gadgetry than my car, which accounts for the less than professional look of much of the copy, I'11 improve with time and will hope to have better looking work with it in future issues,
Notice that with this Issue we're using a newly designed masthead, which features a drawing by Gary Magnotte with typography by me, Mike Werner is back with a refreshingly different view of Taxonomy, and Bill,Old has some advice on the type of questions that one should ask of Curators, I've also included something which I'm hoping can become a regular feature, a self guided Field Trip map and some background information concerning trips that can be undertaken in small groups or entirely alone, if you have a favorite shelling or fossiling place please send ~e some notes about it for inclusion in this column.
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 2
Speaking out Frank J. Nelson
The Convention is over - nearly two months ago- and here I am writing about it, while it seems remarkably fresh in my mind, Perhaps due to one or more ingredients ( secret, of course) of Garbage Can Punch is responsible, but more likely it was the fun that all of us had there, One of our members who attended wrote the following which appeared in the Long Island Shell Club News for »October 1975: .«
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA CONVENTION by wiartin Lerner
I recently had the good fortune to attend the Fourth Annual Conven- tion of the Conchologists of America at Virginia Beach, Virginia,
The COA is the only national organization devoted exclusively to shell collectors, While the American Malacological Union (AU) and the Western Society of Malacologists (WSM) are technical organizations catering to the professional malacologist and the more advanced conchologist, the COA deals with the collector, be he expert or amateur,
Like the other organizations, the COA also had presentations at the meetings. However, these presentations dealt with topics close to the heart of the average shell collector, There were slide presentations dealing with shell collect. ing trips and with different shell families, The entire emphasis is upon the shell collector,
The social camaraderie was wonderful to see and it was interesting to meet people whom I had only corresponded with previously such as Kirk Anders, Tom Rice, and Richard Kurtz, There were members present from all parts of the country including California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, and of course New York.
As the COA is the only national organization dealing with shell col- lectors it is certainly worth joining, The membership fee is only $3.00 per year, which is a small price to pay for the newsletter which is published periodically through out the year, And of course, if you get the opportunity to attend a convention by all means do so ..... it is a wonderful experience,
Honestly the only thing that I can add to Marty's short state ent is Hear ,..Hear!
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 3
A Foul Story, By Robert B, Aronson from Machine Design, July 24th 1975
Those that go down to the sea in ships have always carried with them the curse of an ugly little animal - a crustacean of the subgroup cirri- pedia « the comMon barnacle, This Marine beast has a rather si™Mple life style, Heanchors hi™Mself fo anobject and stays there, quietly living out his days grabbing any food that happens to float his way. The proble™ is that when a faMily of barnacles decides to «all a ship's hull a ho™Me it can be quitea drag,
In the days of wooden ships, the hulls. had to be pulled labor-~ {ously ashore or careened so that barnacles could be chipped off by hand, Later, copper plating onthe hull helped some, In ™More recent times, hull paints have been developed that contain barnacle poisons (arsenic, Mercury,tin). They retard Marine growth, but are not totally successful,
Today Most ships need a cleaning and repainting at least once every two years. Before the oil crisis, ship owners coubd absorb the fuel losses within this two-year cycle, Increased fuel bills due to fouling typically ranged from 1% after 9 Months to 5% at 2 years, With the fuel bill for a Modern tanker now running about $3 Milliona year, other cleaning Methods are being investi gated,
So far, the Most successful device is the "ScaMp", a robot that rolls along the ship's hull and scrubs off unwanted growth, Built by Butterworth Systems, Inc, , an Exxon coMpany, scaMp will clean your tanker in about 16 hours for about $5,500,
A coMpanv called Product DevelopMent Services Inc,, Fairfield, Conn.,has done a feasibility study on a design that reportedly would be More eff ici -~ ent than Sca™Mp, and is currently looking for backers,
A slightly more dynamic idea is Sea Mesh , a system in whicha mesh of plasticecovered explosive cord is floated around a ship, Theoretically, when the cord is detonated, the concussion knocks the barnacles off the hull, In practice, there have been a few bugs in the barnacle blaster, A fter one test, according to a report in Business Week, “the blast had not only blown off barnacles, but had also cracked toilets on the ship, shattered light bulbs, and Moved some new bulkheads ..,,"'
Undaunted by this slight Miscalculation, the U.S, Navy is continuing to test a Sea Mesh, apparently with some success, Because none of these systems seems entirely satisfactory, however, and since there is no end in sight for fuel-price increases, anyone who has been hoarding an idea for a better barnacle trap should Make his Move now,
Conchologists of America Bulletin ¢ Page
Pa elGigel tat, Lor eer tee ys by Mari Hughes |
On June 20 and 21, the Palm Beach County Shell Club and the Broward County Shell Club members met for an evening shelling trip and social getetogether in Marathon, The weather was perfect, with spurts of rain, The moon was full and we enjoyed watching it rise and also enjoyed beautiful sunset. The tide was low and the water clear,
On the trip we stopped in the woods on Key Largo and picked Liguus the Florida tree snail. A short shower had them out walking. Since our last trip, there are new miles of telephone poles, fewer trees, much new building of home sites, camp grounds and canals, We also collected branches from the Lisa Loma and Mahogany trees to take homes, where we then planted them on trees in our outdoor room,
Next we stopped at Tom's Harbor bridge and collected Barbados Keyhole limpets on the rocks at high tide. After checking into a motel we walked to the water onthe Atlantic side for Chiton tuberculatus.
I had two guests from Massachusetts who were new to this area - Helen Chebator and Roland Gaudet, It's a great satisfaction to guide enthusiastic new shellers and observe their first finds,
At the Palms Motel we met Mr, and Mrs, Slattery, the new managers, They and the new owner hosted a lovely party for us all. Most guests stayed at the Palms, some next-door at the Ranch, and some camped,
Of the many children involved, it was just great to see their knowledge- ability in identifying their finds,
The main trip for our group consisted of driving to Key West and boating toa reef about eight miles out, There were 22 of us in four boats --- one owned by Dr, Marvin Glickstein, our field trip chairman, and three rentals, The fee was $ 75.00 for four hours, There were no ladders nor any way to get in or out easil- ly So, we jumped in, and had to look up and disturb a busy man to get back in when we had to even blow our noses, This hurts the ego, so it would have been worth the effort to arrange for fuller equipment.
One member got two Strombus gigas and one Cassis madagascarensis and so far as I know these were the only large shells collected. My previous collecting of all large shells in the Keys was from turtle grass in the shallows, Some of us took coral = up to five pounds allowed - for home tanks.
On this trip I got only small shells but was very happy with Cyphoma gibbosum, which live about five days in our tank a Cypraea cinerea, a very fat ( ?) Astraea phoebia, two Calliostoma euglyptum, four Conus regius, a Cypraecassis testiculus, some Clamys sentis, anda Murex,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page :
My l2-year old niece, Connie Wysocki from Massachusetts on her first trip to the Keys, found ten adult tulips and a few whelks,
At night on the low tide, nine of us went out turning rocks for Cypraea and we got 12, small in size but adult.
Among the many fellow-collectors I enjoyed meeting on this excursion was Margaret Teskey,
On the way home I got a lovely blue and white nudibranch and he seems happy feeding on brine shrimp. '
The "sound of silence" under water was, as usual, just too beautiful to describe, The night shelling was eerie with only the sound of lapping waves and snapping shrimp,
All in all it was a grand jaunt and everyone enjoyed it!
DEPT, OF MOLLUSKS
Museum of Comparitive Zoology Harvard University Cambridge, Mass, 02138
JOHNSONIA VOLUME II REPRINTED AT LAST!
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Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page
Information, Please by William E, Old,
The following little dramas are true, Only the names have been deleted to protect the innocent ( 7) »
‘Iam going to Sanibel, Who will buy the shells I find?"
tt W hat ou >
''l read that rare shells could be found on Sanibel, and I'm on my way!''
sk
' My daughter has a pet clam, We know they should be kept in salt water, so we salted it, Now, what do we feed it?"
' You can't. Clams are ‘suspension feeders! and ..secoeee''
“Suspension? Oh, Isee, I'll hanga piece of tender liver for it to snap at! Bye!''
"Oh hell,"
PM
''I want to find out what this shell is worth,"
‘This isn'ta shell, It's ivory carved in the shape ofa clam, It's called a netsuke ,"'
I don't want to dispute you, but my uncle said it was a shell, and he should know ,"' .
* ''My friend's husband is going to the Pacific, Tell me, what rare shells can he bring his wife ?'' oe
‘What is the book with all the shells in it?"
"It doesn't exist," ae
( After deep thought) ' Ohl Youare writing it!"
"I didn't say that,"
1 Oh,"
*
''My grandfather was a whaling captain in the 19th Century, and he was ship- wrecked in the Pacific, He collected shells until he was rescued, Now I want to sell the shells, Here are photos, what are the shells worth?''
"Not much, I'm afraid, Also, all of the shells in these pictures ars from Florida and the Caribbean,"'
2
' We're going to the Great Barrier Reef to make a complete collection of Volutes. Any suggestions ?''
'What is your background? Have you ever shelled before ?"'
( Smugly ) " We havea Volute Book,"
' It just might not be as easyas you think, Have you considered how many Australians have lived and collected there all of their lives and havn't found 'all' the Voiutes ?"' ,
‘We never thought of that. We thought all you had to do was to go there and pick 'em up.'!
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page. 7 a
'"' My grandfather was a sea captain from a whaling port in Florida in 1820,"
' That's interesting."
Wisn'tit2"
' No, your statement that there was a whaling port in Florida in 1820. That was a year after we acquired Florida from Spain," |
' Well, all I know is that's the way the story is told in the family,'
S And jseseet " He was shipwrecked in the Pacific, and collected shells ...."'
" That sounds familiar,"
" What Qu * '" My house is so full of shells. I want to sell some of them, Who will buy them ?''
" What kind of shells are they?"
" Rare Shells"
" Name some,"
" Oh I couldn't do that. I don't know any names," ' Why do you think that they are rare?"
' They must be!"'
* '' Do you send photographers out to take movies? I have two snails that are reproducing, and it's so interesting. How long does it take for the eggs to
hatch?"
"What kind of snails are they?"
'' Brown ones I found near the trail in the Alps."
" That could cover a lot of species, since many land snails are brown in color,"
'' They might not be spawning afterall, WhenlI feed them bananas, the streamers are light in color, and when! feed them carrots the deposits are dark,"
* ' IT have two large seashells in which I display flowers, Lately the shells have started to leak. Where canI get them repaired?" ' There isn't anyone who does that," " Don't you have a list?"
se ' These shells have no value. You don't have any data with them ,"' "Data? What's that?" ( Explanation follows ) '' Well! You should know that your self!"
* "T have some shells that have faded, What is the liquid that will restore them to their original color?" ' There isn't one," "Oh, you know, But yau won't tell me,''
Keo chowaist’ Oo: America Bulletin Page 8 9g
a 1a. Jot the 'great white-toothed cowry,' It said that there were only tie 2 OF ltlim known, Well, I have 13 of them,"
“identified the shells?" :
-.c one, But I hope they are valuable. Frankly, I need the money."
17
% 'My preat grandfather was a sea captain," “That sounds famillfar,'' ‘What? Well, we have some shells that he collected about the year 1820, hand, do you have any idea what they would be worth?" ''Propa>ly nothing. By now they would be faded, and chipped from gener- ions Giphandtling suse." "Ch, they look pretty good to me," rs
2 you Want to buy a coral reef?" . cora) reef? Where is it?" “oat hers in front of me," "bow big is it?" «uct sixteen inches high, I bought it and don't want it anymore," ‘' . {raid that I'm not interested in coral," ‘Ju cugnt th buy it. I want to sell it,''
* , / >. Quent + shell back from Key West, and now it smells, What is the Osta th ( .1i1 dis: oive the meat and take away the odor ?'' " doa't .. occur to you that any solution that strong would affect the shell?" No, f 1e2ver thought of that’.
* iz tj.sa sc.e clams on the beach and want to know how to keep them alive," " That's very difficult, -You really need an open circuit aquarium set up, and @yv ure flitvacion cecders|'' ' Whats all oi that mean?" ( Explanation follows ) ( Saspiciously) "They weren't doing all that you say when we found them on
cue beach, tlow did they feed there?" *
4 %
"My facher was a pilot in the Pacific during World War II,"
''Was he a captain by any chance ?"!
"Why, yes. How did you know?"
'"Tust guessed, This sounds like a new blade for an old saw,"
"At any rate, he was downed over an uninhabited island in the Fiji group. “ie Coluected golden cowries until he was rescued,"
"I'd like to.see them,"
“Oh, no, ie never shows them to anyone."
*
Page 9 Conchologists of America Bulletin ¢ 9g
A few corollaries may be formed from the preceding: . a There ig a magic solution for cleaning and/or restoring shells,
Clams are difficult to maintain in the home,
Whaling and Sailing ships were woefully undermanned, elieved that the value of shells increases with age,
1820 was a good year for shells. Rare shells are where you find them,
Just as IT always thought,a curator's life ig just one round of adventures,
Separated by dopey questions ; Ed,
PHD <5 CMS ADMD SOE AN A RTH RO OLD D> ERED EGE ONES COGN 1) GID NED
Application for membership in The American Malacological Union, Ine. |
Make check for type of membership desired payable to AMU ‘Inc. and send to Mrs. Hollis Boone, Recording Secretary, 3706 Rice Boulevard, “Houston, Texas 77005
Note. The AMU is a non profit, educational organization eo that dues and contributions dre Cax deductable.
Indicate type of membership desired: $7.00 / ]
Additional Family Member per YOGF georwatry $l.00u0f 37
Regular Member per year
Corresponding Member per year $8.50 {J eta ten of
Initiation fee $1.50 / ] Tete
Reins tatement $1.50 Ley Senate nent ean ine oe a,
Contributions $ Total enclosed: $
Na me eo aaa
zip code: Taper a sd aces atc
Area of Special Saibiiictrommr: ae soe snes nse cane totes
Conchologists of America Bulletin § Page |»
AMERICAN MUSEUM OPENS "MOLLUSKS AND MANKIND' EXHIBIT
A new, permanent exhibit unveiled by the American Museum of Natural History in mid-Dacember is by far the most sophisticated presentation on mollusks ever seen in the New York City institution, The product of three year's work, it is described by Dr, William K, Emerson, the malacologist who super- vised the creation of '"Mollusks and Mankind", as an attempt to reveal the inter- relationships between his discipline and those of archeology and ethnology. Dr, Emerson is a curator in the Museum's Department of Fossil and Living Invert. ebrates,
| The exhibit is further described as the only one of its kind in the country, Occupying a small hall of its own, "Mollusks and Mankind" depicts
the ways in which the mollusk has made its imprint on the arts, the sciences, religious observance, and many humbler aspects of daily life. The elements making up the series of displays include shells, models of shells and anatomic structures, photographs, diagrams, two continuously running motion pictures - one a read-out generated by an analog computer ~-a slide show, anda erect variety of artifacts and art objects,
The exhibit assumes no familiarity between the museum visitor and the mollusk, For those who 'never knew where shells came from''the first stopper in the hall is a free standing case that asks and answers the question, 'What is a mollusk?" Part of the answer is a portrayal, using shells and models, of the seven classes, In the same case is offered the only out-and-out obeisance to oohe andeah, Under the heading 'Snaile, Snails, Snails''is an imaginative display ofa few dozen beauties, Getting back to business, adjacent wall cases take up molluscan biology, in aspects ranging from life cycles and anatomy to pearls, The computer read-out simulates, via motion diagrams, the geometry of shell growth in the several gastropod morphs, and in bivalvia, The last of the introductory displays outlines world distribution’of mollusks, the major variations of habitat, and adaptive responses. The movie, titled "Mollusks in Motion, '' presents about five minutes of such intrigues as the capture of prey by cones, tulips and horse conchs, and of scallops executing their 'herial'' acrobatics,
With the basics and dramatics thus covered, the aim swings to the exhibit's theme, In the mini-gallery given over to 'Mollusks in Art Forms'' the eye- catcher is a huge color photo, back-lighted, of a shell grotto, Art objects, many of them lent to the Museum for this exhibit, illustrate the role of the shell in art, ass design inspiration or as an actual inclusion in jewelry and other esthetic creations, The conchologist gets his recognition, and the viewer an eyeful, ina cage titled Collector's Items,
Artifacts become the key elements in displays showing shells as reli- gious symbols, spiritual talismans and emblems of nobility; as money and evidence of wealth; and as utensils, weapons, decorations and dye sources, Mollusks as table delicacies and as ingredients in homeopathic medicines are also covered, A replica vertical section of a shell midden discovered on Japan's seacoast shows how it re-
veals the nature and timing of climatic changes over past centuries,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 11
Overlooking the fact that it doesn't even breathe the word 's chisto- somiasis,'' "Mollusks and Mankind''is a comprehensive, ingenious, and arresting view of the phylum and its multifarious impacts on the genus Homo, most attractively
presented. Milton Werner
1975 Supplement to AMERICAN MALACOLOGISTS
300 additional biographies of living and deceased amateur conchologists and professional malacologists appear in the new 1975, 100-page, supplement to the very informative and useful AMERICAN MALACOLOGISTS. The latest address changes are given for the 1,000 biographees listed in the first edition. Few, if any, of the prominent mollusk scientists of America are missing. Over 50 paleoconchologists are now included, as well as many new shellfishery experts, and numerous amateur . shell collectors, many of whom are willing to correspond or exchange. The supplement sells for $2.00 (postage paid). Good news: there is a paperback edition (fully sewn, so it won't pavieerare) now available for only $4.95. Send check for both to "American Malacologists", Box 4208, Greenville,
Del. 19807. AER AAAI SND-0 IED OME OEE OED CA 0 NE ND SEO. EOE
SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP Warran Redford
Why not take a "Self Gaided Field Trip''to Rice's Pit? It is open weekedays from 93 30 AM to 5: 30 PM and Sundays from 2: 00 to 6,00 PM, For individuals the fee is $0.75 per hour, with special group rates arranged, Fora tour of the museum on the property call ahead and make an appointment; Hampton, Va, 851-3180,
See the attached map for directions, -( The map and the above are adapted from t Norfolk Gem and Minera} Association's paper The Lamit.)
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6
Langley AFB
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 13
Exoskeletons in the Family Closet, by Milton Werner
The Family: product of paternity and maternity, consequence of consanguinity, wellspring of posterity, foundation of continuity, receptacle of heredity, reposit- ory of affinity, similarity, uniformity - yet font of variety. And, properly abused, source of some mild hilarity, maybe,
To wit: Suppose, with your collecting expertise, you discover a new species. It fits, beyond quibble, into an existing genus, But your brilliant research throws
“new light on the genus, and you realize that it should go into a new family. So you:
erect the new family, and maybe a subfamily, and you name them ,.. what?
Don't panic. Sometimes a name sort of suggests itself, as in the recent instances, guaranteed genuine and authentic, listed below. (By an astonishing con- catenation of coincidence, all of the'new' specific names were already in the liter- ature associated with one or more other genera.) Be the first savant on your block to scribble these revisions in the margins of your musty old reference tomes.
GENUS and NEW SPECIES & SUBSPECIES NEW FAMILY NEW SUBFAMIL’ Gastropoda Melampus bulbus | Electricidae Arabica tenta plicata | Mobilidae Gaza telescopium periscopiana Curiosidae Scrutinae Lunatia clara Debussidae Euphinae Caecum arestrum Necessidae Cassis clayi pugilis Loqua cidae FeniMorea cooperi Prolixidae Conus chocolatus flavus Hotziggidae Neverita candei deliciosa Austeridae
: paneer cala ponderosa hig dente Obesidae Gluttinae Siphonaria breweri ; Satiidae Germinae
Oliva martini Thirsidae
Conchologists of America Bulletin Bivalvia Tapes whitehousei Discors ziczac Carditella fortunei - Cuspidaria brassica Lopha lasius extraordinarius Musculus adonis Rania ponderosa Freshwater Gastropoda Burnupia brazieri Pila sandwichensis cervus Stanleya neglecta anna Cleopatra lurida histrio Spekia vulgaris Freshwater Hivalvia Sphaerium globosum
Lampsilis filamentosus
"',..ethou better name / than all the family of fame!!!
EPR CL ERI PRAT ENE SL EA POD THAN EHSL ME TP ME HT DIL END NE PY LTB TD”
6
Page 14 Duplicidae Ignominae Ambiguidae Gullibilidae Gentilidae Torpididae Virilidae
Televisioncidae
Nonconformidae Hos pitalidae Perversidae Misoginae
Notoriidae
Profanidae Rotundidae Luminosidae
Ode to Tranquillidae S.T. Coleridge
A BYE LAW / CONSTITUTION VOTE ISSUE:
* Be it resolved that the dual office of Secretary/ Treasurer be divided and become two separate offices, with one of the positions held by a person from an entirely different geographical area of the United States than the other.
In other words if the Secretary comes from the Eastern U.S, then the Treasurer should come from the west or vice-versa, since we are the only nation wide Shell Club devoted to the Shell Collector a better distribution of National Officers will help in broadening the base of collectors for whom we exist,
Please send your vote to the Secretary Kathleen Daniels in time for her to cast the absentee votes at the convention business meeting.
Conchologists of Americo Bulletin 6
Page 15
COA CONVENTION - 1975
The fourth annual convention of the Conchologists of America was held from Saturday, Oct, 4th through Tuesday, Oct, 7th, at the Windjammer Motor Lodge in Virginia Beach, Virginia with 35 members and guests attending,
Aiter a Morning of registration, socializing and 'settling in" our Convention Chairman, Bob Janowsky, welcoMed everyone and opened the convention at 1: 30PM with a few words from our President, Tom Rice, The afternoon passed quickly as we were engrossed in the fascinating and inforMative slide presentations
, given; accounts of collecting expeditions, a photographic survey of the Marginellidae, and an in-depth look at an exquisite shell collection were the major topics of the first
session. The day ended with a cocktail party hosted by Tom, providing an evening of good companionship, lively conversation, and an inexhaustable flow of ‘garbage can punch", as we atte™pted to forget that we'd be rising early the next Morning.
Sunday's progra™ was a full one, with papers scheduled fro™ 8; 30 - 11: OOAM, in order to insure a prompt departure for our field trip to Rice's Fossil Pit, The bus left at noon with everyone in high spirits, eagerly anticipating their finds, Fossils of the Upper Miocene were originally discovered in Rice's Pitas a result of commercial excavation; in order that they could be preserved for educate
ional purposes the Rice family halted all excavation and opened the pit to the public
for a no™inal charge, Weall hada Marvelous afternoon, digging and scraping for treasures, and returned with Many fine exa™ples of those relics of another era,
s
Back at the Windja™Mer, we just had tiMe for a brief look at our finds before gathering in the Motel dining room for a no~host cocktail hour and our banquet, followed by our annual auction, Donations had again been very generous and a glance at the table revealed Marginella pringlei, Voluta ebraea, Ecphora quadricostata, Murex textilis, Conus genuanus, Pecten nodoaus, and Murex elongatus, as wellas many other desireable species, With Bob behind the table as auctioneer the bidding was lively and fast paced, and after the last shell had been sold and the last joke told, the COA treasury had been enriched by $ 680,50.
A morning of papers was on the agenda for Monday morning followed by a bus trip to Colonial Williamsburg. We spent a pleasant afternoon wandering through the shops and buildings of this restored town, then, all too soon, we had to board the bus for our return to the Modern world, After dinner we had an inforMative se™Minar on shell photography, followed bya concerted effort to polish off the 'yarbage can punch",
Tuesday ™orning began with our final slide presentation and a look at so™Me of the previous COA conventions, followed by the business ™eeting, The con- vention officially adjourned at U: 15AM with the close of the businessmeeting, and we were all sorry to see it end as we had had a Marvelous tiMe and Made ™any new and lasting friendships.
Dorothy Janowsky
Page 16
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6
Minutes of the Bu _iness Meeting, D, Janowsky
The business meeting of the fourth annual COA convention was called to order by our President, Tom Rice, at 10: 20AM on Tuesday, October 7th, Tom expressed his thanks to everyone who had contributed to the success of the convention and especially to our host and hostess, George and Wylda Stephens, The Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were read and accepted and we moved on to old business,
It was Mentioned that the Conchologists of Southeast Asia - Bangkok Chapter, which held its formative meeting a year ago, had experienced difficulty in obtaining the necessary perMits to Meet as a club and consequently was unable to continue as an organization.
Tom then spoke of the necessity to increase our MeMbership during the coMing year, and opened the topic for a general discussion fro™ the floor. It was decided that one of the duties of the Vice-President would be to coordinate the efforts of the organization in its MeMbership drive,
The noMinating commMittee - ChairMan Wayne Stevens, Kathleen Daniels and Marty Lerner ~- presented the following slate of officers for 1976:
President William Bledsoe Vice-President Dorothy Janowsky
assisted by Robert Janowsky Secretary/Treasurer Kathleen Daniels
A vote was called for and the entire slate was unanimously elected, It was suggested that the MeMbership consider electing separate officers as Secretary and Treasurer for the year 1977 in anticipation of the greater aMount of tiMe required for each office due to increased MeMbership.
; Speaking briefly of the beauties of the Pacific Northwest, Wayne Stevens issued an invitation to the COA to hold its 1976. convention in Portland, Oregon, and read invitations extended to us by the Portland Cha™ber of CoMMerce, the Mayor of Portland, and the Governor of Oregon, A motion.was Made and accep- ted to Meet in Portland next year and Wayne was elected as Convention Chair™an,
It was suggested that the COA should be a Ne™ber of both the Western Society of Malacologists and the American Malacological Union, As we arealready in the AMU a motion was made and approved that we also join the WSM,
As our final item of business, a vote of heartfelt thanks was given to Wylda and George Stephens for everything they did to make this such an enjoyable time for us all,
i}
The Meeting was adjourned at lls 15AM,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 17
CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA ~ TREASURER'S REPORT
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1974 Balance December 31, 1973: $ 417,44 Receipts ~ Dués 381,00 Auction 839.25 1220025 1220.25 1637, 69 Expenses « Printing of Bulletin 244,65 Mailing 107, 15 Addressograph Machines 80.00 Stationary 26.00 Convention Expenses W555 591,65 591,65 Alaan Balance as of December 31, 1974 1046.04 Current Membership 101 Current Balance as of September 30, 1975 1017.20
THE C,.O.A,. CONVENTION 1976, PREVIEW OF PLANS:
The place will be Portland, Ore. and the dates June 16th thru June 20th « 1976, at the Thunderbird Motel, The Western Society of Malacologist's will be convening at Pacific Grove, Calif. beginning on June 23rd, which will permit attending both meetings ,. The room rates will be $23.00 single, $28.00 double, and $ 30.00 onthe view side or for rooms with two queen size beds,
Adjacent to the Hotel is a home trailer court from whom we have a promise of reserving six spaces for those members attending by trailer, prices are not now available for these accomodations,
Several field trips have been planned by our Convention Chairpersons
Wayne and Marjorie Stevens, a boat trip up the Columbia River to and thru the | Bonneville Dam with a visit to the dam and the fish hatchery with the return trip | via the scenic highway down the Columbia passing a myriad of magnificant water- falls, another trip planned for is a caravan or bus tripto the Oregon Coast for | some shelling and while on this trip we'll take in the Rose Test Gardens in full bloom, ( tides and weather are being arranged for by Wayne with considerable assistance from God and the weatherman.) .
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page |v
(he “Book finder
The Fascinating World of the Sea, by Elva D, Sheets, Crown Publishers, Inc. New York, $ 14795
Elva Sheets surely did not set out a quarter of a century ago, on her way to the ocean for the first time, with the sole aim of bringing the wonders of the sea to those who were unable to experience them first hand, But regardless of when the thought first occurred to her, she has quite successfully fulfilled her stated purpose with the writing of this book,
The Fascinating World of the Sea is a simple, easy to read book that gives the beginner a starting place in learning about the ocean, marine life and re- lated subjects, In addition to an extensive section on mollusks and shell collecting, there are thumbnail sketches of a wide variety of other. marine life, as wellas explanations of coastal formation, wave action, tidal movement, etc, And Mrs, Sheets has liberally illustrated the text with many excellent photographs,
In a book of this type, it isn't surprising to find a few minor errors caused by the condensation and simplification of the material, but in genera}, the material presented is fairly accurate, There are, however, a few subjects that might have been researched a bit more thoroughly. For example, in speaking of cone shells, the author describes the harpoon and venom sac of the 'poisonous'' cones as opposed to the common toothed radula of the 'non-poisonous''cones, Mrs, Sheets is evidently unaware that all cones have the poison dart and venom, and that their danger to man corresponds to their feeding habits, mainly, ( the piscivorous cones having a venom that could be fatal to any vertebrate including man) and size ( the larger the cone, the more venom) ,
A book on such a broad subject obviously cannot cover everything, and the author must decide what will be included and what omitted, This beinga matter of personal choice, each person would no doubt choose differently, But I think that Mrs, Sheets has exaggerated the problem of taxonomic changes in the statement that by the time a book is five years old, it is 'outdated in 30 many areas that it can no longer be used with confidence''", One has only to consider the great demand for classics suchas the Manual of Conchology to see the fallacy ih that statement, The novice collector might easilly be discouraged, thinking that every few years he faces the purchase of a new set of bookswithout any hope of keeping up with the changes,
In the last chapter there are many useful hints on collecting, cleaning | and storing shells, But Mrs, Sheets advocates the use of several dangerous substances | with little or no word of caution on their use, She does warn that lye can injure the | hands and that various chemicals can harm metal utensils and destroy shells, But she neglects to say what such things as Chloride of Lime, Chloroform and Carbon- tetra chloride , improperly handled, can do to the collector,
| | i] | |
Page 19
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6
Being mindful of the sensitivity of many people, I hesitate to mention an aspect of the book that I find personally offensive, Mrs, Sheets seems to feel com- pelled to constantiy inject her religious beliefs into the text, Unfortunately too many people condone this practice when the author's convictions correspond with their own, My objection has nothing to co with the validity of ‘irs, Sheets’ beliefs but rather with the fact that this is not the proper forum for the expounding of any religious point of
view whatever it may be, Further, | think that scientists, as a group, might find the implications unpalatable, The authorascribes a deep religious feeling to the “naturalist as oppoged to the acientist, who, by implication then, cannot have a religious conviction,
My principle criticisim of the book is an observation rather than a comment on its worth, Much hay been made of the fact that this lady travelled 185,000 miles and suffered many hardships in gathering material for the book, Yet I find very little for which she ever needed to leave home, One could spend a lifetimestanding on a beach watching the tide go in and out without understanding the forces behind it, Just as one could spend years in and on the water in total ignor- ance of the habits, background, life cycle, anatomy, physiology, etc, of many of the creatures in it, however keen one's observations, In short, most of this material could have been obtained from textbooks or from visits to a local library, Mrs, Sheets has referred a number of times to her forthcoming companion book, We can only hope that it will bring more of the adventures and personal observations so conspicuously absent from this one. The greatest value of this book, then, lies noi in what it has to say but in Mrs, Sheets' enthusiasm and in the interest that she can generate in the beginner to motivate him to a deeper study of the subject,
Lee Nelson
Numerical ‘axonomy, The Principles ani Practice of Numerical Classification, Peter H,A, Sneath and Robert R, Sokal, W.H, Freeman and Co,, San Francisco, Calif, xv + 573pp, sl Illustrations & 9 Tables, 1973 $22.50
Taxonomy is one of those words, wa use it to cover a wide number of things, many of which are by no stretch of the imagination included in its;definition, Taxonomy as used by Simpson in Principles of Animal Taxonomy, means ''the theoret- ical study of classification, including its bases, principles, procedures and rules", also that " classification is the ordering of organisms into vrouys ( or sets) on the basis of their relationships" - from these definitions and several others Sneath and Sokal proceed to a discussion of the meaning of Nierical Taxonomy as they propose to use it throughout the rest of the book,
From a historical point of view the authors discuss the concepts of Michel Adanson ( 1727-1806) a French botanist, which may be said to underlie the concepts of modern numerical taxonomy and the almost negligable impact of evolut- ionary theory unti}l well into ths twentieth century,
} } / |
Conchologists of America Bulletin 6 Page 20
The entire book covers, by chapter, in detail The Aims and Principles of Numerical Taxonomy, Taxonomic Frinclples, Taxonomic Evidence, Taxonomic Resemblence, Taxonomic Structure, Identification and Dis crimination, Implications for Nomenclature and Numerical] Taxonomy in other fields than Biological Systematics, together with an entire chapter devoted to a critica] examination of Numerical Taxonomy, The final chapters of text is a discussion of what the authors feel that the future of systematics will he during the next decade,
A coverage of numerical taxonomy , of necessity, requires a consid- erable dependance on Mathematical methods and definitions, which will present a stumbling block to the reader without soe college level Mathematical training, The complexity of the interrelations of taxonoMetric criterla require coMputer Methods of data handling to be used, as does the great number of criteria which can be dealt with,
Many fields other than biologicai ones have been very successfully analysed by the methods of numerical taxonomy, whichdaas proven to be a powerful tool in such diverse disciplines as ecology, biogeography, Medicine, the social sciences and even to specific Material within the Arts and Humanities, The authors have prov- ided,a lengthy appendix listing the applications of nuMerical] taxonomy in the field of Biological Systematics (since 1956) which covers almost every area of Zoology and Botany.
An extensive Bibliography is included which will provide the interested reader with an opportunity to see how these principles are related to the actual practice of classification in specific cases,
If you do not understand Taxonomy or what philosophical concepts underlie it, read this book, it will not be easy, but, it will be well worth the effort. Frank Nelson
Occasional Papers on Moliusks The Department of Mollusks Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass,
Volume 4 Number 5] Proserpine Snaile of the Greater Antilles ( Prosobranchia; Heicinidae) by Kenneth J, Boss and Morris K, Jacobson
A systematic monograph of the distribution of the subfamily Prosser. pininae in the islands of Jamaica and Cuba, with a discussion of the phylogeny of the group, Proserpina s,s, and Despoenelia are a unique group of land snails which having lost the operculum have a Mantle which May be extended to cover the shell in & Manner similar to the Marine Cowries,
Volume 4 NuMber 52 Catalogue of the Taxa of the SubfaMily Proserpininae ( Proso- branchia; Helicinidae) by Kenneth J. Boss and Morris K, Jacobson
An adjunct to the monographic treatment of the Proserpininae found sn the Greater Antilles, listing all of the species referable to this subfamily of Helicinidae from the Tropical New World.
Conchologists of Americo Bulletin ¢ Page 21
Volume 4 Number 53 Felipe Poey wiih a Catalogue of the Mollusca described by him, by Kenneth J, Bossa and Morriy K, Jacobson
A biography of one of the Renaissance Men of the ninteenth century, a Cuban of many talents little known in the United States, with a catalogue of the mollusca atributed to him,
Volume 4 Number 54 R, Ellsworth Call with a bibliography of his works on Mollusks and a Catalogue of his Taxa, by Richard I, Johnson bound with William A, Marsh, his introduced Taxa of Unionidae or Freshwater Mussels » by Richard I, Johnson,
Biographies and catalogues ‘of the Taxa of two ninteenth century A™Merican students of the Freshwater Molluscan Fauna of the Mid -west,
Frank Nelson
Principles of Hydrology 2nd,Ed, R,C, Ward McGraw-Hill Book Co, ( UK) Ltd, Publication date 9/75 xvi+ 367pp Numerous Text Figures and Tables, $15.00
As conchologists we are always aware of the portion of the earth's water which makes up the oceans, and those bodies of fresh water in which Mo:]usks live; but ‘ve do not normally concern ourselves with all of the other aspects of the study of the earth's water system, :
Hydrology as a separate discipline is relatively new and does not have a vast, lony standing body of historical bibiiography, Mr, Ward's book is a comprehensive coverage of all of the components which go into making the entjre subject of Hydrology, The introduction goas froma brief history of Hydrology, through an explanation ef the hydrological cycle anda iiscussion of the systems approach to the subject. The rest of the book is concerned with precipitation, interception, evaporation, evapotranspiration, soil Moieture, ground water, runoff and the drainage basin, each of which is treated in detail in its’ own chapter,
There is soMe Mathematical treatment but not so much that the reader with a non- MatheMati cal background will be unable to follow the text, and those equati-:<« which are included are clearly explained for the general reader, One of the great strengths of this book lies in the extensive bibliographies which are included at the end of each chapter, covering the Most recent and Modern ideas in each subject covered,
This is a book which I would heartily recommend as the one book which a general collection of books relating to the natural sciences should contain in order to have a balance between the interrelat' ng disciplines which Make up what ina simpler day was called Natural History.
Frank Nelson
2 ¢ 22 Conchologists of America Bulletin 5 Page
For those of you unable to attend the Virginia Beach Convention the pre- sentations were:
Saturday Afternoon October 4th
Kirk Anders Slides of Shelling in Costa Rica
William Bledsoe Selected Shells from his own Collection
Nick Katsaras Marpinella Species and Maximum and Minimum sizes of Cypraea,
Bill Old The Amecipagos Expedition to Peru and the Galapagos Islands,
Sunday Morning October 5th
Rob Dillon The Fresh Water Mussels of the Tennessee River System Bill Old The American Conidae
Rob Dillon An orientation in Paleontology, with special emphasis on the Rice's P& Area,
Monday Morning October 6th Dorothy Germer Pectinidae Mary Palmer Fossils of the Caloosahatchee Formations of Florida Tom Rice & Kirk Anders Shelling on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia Russel Jensen & Jerry Haraseywitch Shelling in West Mexico
- Monday Evening October 6th Henry Close, Moderator A Symposium on Shell Photography
Tuesday Morning October 7th Kirk Anders A Trip on a Commercial Scallop Boat Kirk Anders Past COA Conventions,
Note: in volume 1, there are two different issues of “number 7" (7 & 7A), one issue of “number 8" and no “number 9"; fide American Conchologist (June 1989) 17(2):11
7
Secretary/ Treasurer 7 Editor
K, Daniels Frank J. Nelson
Bos 265A) Route 1 95-24 110th Street
Apollo, Pa, 15613 Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11419
* % & CONTENTS * * +
Page 1 Speaking Out Frank Nelson Page 2 Cypraea cruickshanki Robert W, Morrison Page 5 Escargot or Essential Protein? Frank Nelson Page 6 How I Spent say Vacation Milton Werner Page § C.O.A. Convention Plans RW, &M, Stevens Page 14 The Bookfinder F, Nelsor aL Warne |) Pape {7 Maileback Convention Reservation Form \y! MALAY eI ae ee 1 kook ke ok Ok Ok ok OF kk Ok \b Pl ee Mt \) f DEL j | tea’ FIELD MUSEUM LIBRARY
Speaking out Frank J. Nelson
Another issue to put-to-bed, and I've tryed this time to cut down the number of pages toa More Manayeable size. Putting together issues of eighteen and twenty pages pets downright overwhelming! Please do your bit by setting down some of your own thoughts and observations and sending them to Me, I can not do it ali!
The big news in this issue is the Materia) on our Annual Convention, I've included a send-back page so that you can advise Mr, &wirg, Stevens, the Conventdon Chairpersons, of your plans, Vlease give them as much advance notice as you can, they've got quite a lot to organize and need all of your cooperation in getting all of the arrangements finalized, The amount of work that they've put into this program is enormous and deserves to have all of the recognition that they can pet!! [I'M sure it will be a spectacular Meeting plan to attend,
Another first: photographic illustrations! these were Made by recopying color prints ina Xerographic process and look real good,
Conchologists of América - Bulletin 7 Page 2
“During the reviewing of several books for the last few issues I've noticed that I have had to touch on Evolution on several occasions, Some readers might feel that this is a subject not appropriate to this journal, and that it is rather the special province of the Theologians, I disagree with this kind of head -in-the-sand point of view and must insist that no subject touching upon Modern Biology is inap- propriate, and feeling as I dol shall continue to deal with Evolution and Genetics etc, as with any 'fait accompli" and resist the temptation ti Missionary zeal, It is not my intent to give anyone offence respecting their beliefs, nor shall I,
> DD (RI EER GREED) RD ( er « DASE ED { > REGAL CSR IRR GRR ERR C2 MALLS. EAD CI ACTED IM) Et) RE
Cypraea cruickshanki Kilburn, 1972 and notes on Endemic Species of Cypraea from South Africa,
Of all the endeMic groups of Cypraea, those from the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and South Africa have consistantly been the Most interesting to scient- ists and collectors alike, Of these three groups, we know least about the South African Cowries, because of the depth of their habitat and the fact that they are seldom found alive,
The endemic South African Cypraea are penerally considered to include three very rare species, C, fultoni Sowerby, 1903; C. broderipii Sowerby, 1832: and C, barclayi Reeve, 1857. Since there are accurate records of specimens of C, broderipii and barclayi being taken from Mauritius and Diego Garcia Island they are not technically to be considered endemic to South Africa, even though most of the known specimens have been taken from the stomachs of fish caught in deep waters off Natal,
The cowries undisputably endemic to South Africa are: Cypraea algoensis Gray, 1825 Cypraea amphithales Melvill, 1888 Cypraea capensis Gray, 1828 Cypraea cohenae Burgess ,1965 Cypraea edentula Gray, 1825 Cypraea fuscodentata Gray, 1825 Cypraea fuscorubra Shaw, 1909
to include only C, castanea Higgins, 1868, and not_C, similis_Gray, 1831, ina rev- ision of those two former species into a single species, Allen, Barnard, and Abbott all consider both C, castanea and C, gimilig to be included in Shaw's revision into C, fuscorubra,
Many systematists consider C, gondwanalandensis an objective junior synonym | of C, fuscorubra and the holotype of C, gondwanalandensis to be merely a globose
9
form of C, fuscorubra, well within the limits of norma] population variation,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 7 Page 3
The continental shelf of South Africa is less a shelf than an abrupt drop-off, In many areas the 100-fathom line occurs within a mile of the coast and near Cape St, Lucia the 100-fathom line virtually coincides with the coastline, In the areafrom Durban south to Port Elizabeth the 1,000-fathom line is within 100 miles of the coast, and in a few areas the 2,000-fathom line is within that limit. South of Port Elizabeth and around to the Cape of Good Hope the continental shelf is more typical of most other large land masses,. This area includes that treasure house of beach shells, Jeffreys Bay.
‘ Thus the endemic South African cowries are predominently deep-water dwellers, According to reliable, though scarce, locality data, only C, capensis, edentula, and fuscorubra are consistently found in water of less than 100 fathoms, Beach specimens of these three species are consistently found after a storm, com- monly, but live-taken specimens of any of the endemic South African Cypraea are ‘real prizes,
Probably the single most profound influence on their deep-water habitat is the Equatorial Current, Very strong and very warm, this current moves ina westerly direction just north of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, It strikes the African Coast near Cape Delgado at the northeast tip of Mozambique, Here it divides, a south flowing branch, usually known as the Mozambique or Agulhas Current, flowing down the east and south coasts of South Africa almost to Cape town before it meets the cold currents of the Atlantic, Thus the deep-water cowries of South Africa have a warmer habitat than might be expected at the depths at which they live,
Relatively little deep-water exploration has been carried on off the Natal coast so that new fauna found in these waters should be no surprise, It was from this same area that the first living Coelacanth ( Latimeria chalumnae Smith , 1940) was taken in 1939, It had been thom#hi to have been extinct for some 50 million years,
In 197la trawler operating out of Durban brought another surprise to light when it netted three specimens of a new and very distinctive Cypraea, The spec- imens were obtained by Robert Cruickshank of Durban and he made them avaltlable for study by R,N, Kilburn, malacologist at the Natal Museum at Pietermaritzburg, Kilburn named the new cowly for Cruickshank and published his findings in the June 1972 issue of Novitates, the publication of the Natal Museum,
Kilburn noted that the new cowry had a marked resemblance to the Family Triviidae of Lamarck 1810, commonly known as the trivia, However, it was Kilburn's good fortune that one of the specimens still contained soft parts which, while badly decomposed, still permitted a study of the radula, This was sufficient | to place the species in the Family Cypraea, primarilly because the marginal teeth of the radula were complex rather than simple as in the Trivildae, Kilburn noted that there is a close similarity between the radula of the new species and that of
Conchologists of America Bulletin 7 Page 4
There seems little need to repeat all of Kilburn's description except to em- phasize the markedly globose, thin, and translucent characteristics of the speci- men I hada chance to study over a period of some weeks, It was taken, -ex-pices, from the same area and depth as the holotype and the two lectotypes, and it appear- ed to have suffered little from ingestion by a fish, Based on Kilburn's description of the specimen the illustrations with this paper can be considered typical of the species,
At the time of writing there are at least 20 specimens known, All of those
on which I have data are between 25 and 35 mm in length, (The dimensions of the holotype and the two lectotypes are:
>
Length W idth Height Holotype 28,8 mm 24,5 mm 20,4 mm Lectotype I 33,0 mm 28,2 mm 23,4 mm Lectotype I EO rie Teche: 26,3 mm 22.5 mm
There is a mystery, now at least 10 years old, relative to an as-yet uniden- tified deep-water South African Cowry., In 1963 three specimens of an unknown Cypraea were dredged off Cape Point, All were moreor less broken and only one was adult, KH Barnard examined them and pronounced them as a globose form of C, fuscorubra, an identification he made, he said, ‘with considerable doubt",
Kilburn notes that C, crulckshanki appears to be a closer relative of this unknown species than is C, fuscorubra, But, he says, regarding this ‘mystery’ cowry, "no final decision can be Made regarding it's status until such time as More material is available, Even the exact locality from which the Cape Point shells were obtained is in doubt as to the cited locality .,,, would put their place of origin in False Bay where depths do not exceed 102 meters, The Cape Point shells were supposedly dredged in 180 fathoms,
Bibliography: Allen, Joyce. Cowrie Shells of World Seas, Georgian House, Melbourne, 1956 Burgess, C. M, , The J.iving Cowrles, AtS*® Barnes and Co,, New Jersey, 1970 Dance, S, Peter, Rare Shells, University of California Press, 1969 Kilburn, R.N% , A_New Cowry from Deep Water off Natal, with notes on Allied Species, Durban Museum Novitates, Vol Ix, Part 14, Smith, Margaret M,, The Search for the World's Oldest Fish, Oceans Vol 3, No, 6 Wagner, RJ;L% and Abbott, RIT%, Eds, Van Nostrand's Standard Catalog of Shells Second Edition, D, Van Nostrand Co,, New Jersey, 1967.
| Conchologists of America Bulletin ? Page 5
| Cypraea cruickshanki Kilburn
Plate I Plate II Dorsum Ventrum Cane & GatZo.
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ESCARGOT OR ESSENTIAL PROTEIN?
Jarmo is a Neolithic townsite ona high bluff in the Kurdish foothills of northeastern Iraq. <A wide scattered pattern of radiocarbon dating indicates a fairly constant occupation from about 7000BC to perhaps 6750BC, During the period in which Jarmo fluorished the area seems to have had the climate and vegitation characteristic of a modern Mediterranean woodland environment with warm dry summers and cool rainy winters, During the settlement period the villiage was situated about 36m above the bed of an intermittant stream, which was probably the major water supply. Based upon the number of house remains Jarmo hada probable population of between 125 and 200 people, which is in good agreement with the size of settlements in the area today.
Jarmo remains show a variety of flint instruments, which include many sickle-blades etc,., made froma glassy volcanic rock obsidian, The obsidian was quarried in the Lake Van areasome 500 Km to the north of Jarmo which would indicate , seeMingly, a trading elemrnt in the economy, pottery does not appear in the lowest two thirds of the settlement strata,
The biological Materials which have been identified at Jarmo indicate that grains were domesticated during the entire period, and that the skeletal remains of the domestic goat covered the entire period and domestic pigs occur in the upper strata only. A significant gathering and hunting component of the economy is indicated by remains of red fox, wolf, gazelle, wild cattle, red and roe deer, wild sheep, boar and onager, Great Masses of land snails (Helix saloMonica) are present together with some freshwater crabs and fish,
Conchologists of America Bulletin 7 Page 6
The dentition of sevenskeletons found in the area show signs of only Mod- erate wear, which points toa less coarse diet than has been inferred from similar earlier populations, From this it would seem that the diet probably consisted of better prepared vegetable foods with a probable larger proportion of Meat,
The villiage of Jarmo seeMingly represents the prototypical econoMic unit of small settlements at this period, the end of the stone age, Hoe agriculture May be inferred by the abscence of reMains of either plow or of plow animals, which was combined with the gathering and hunting of wild plant and animal foods, substantiated by finds of acorns, pistachio nuts and snails, to supplement the diet,
: Frank Nelson Butzer, Karl1W, 1964 Environment and Archaeology, Aldane Publishing Co, Ghicago, Il, a
(><A ) AAR (9 AED CEN (AED RR YI) AERTS) I DA AE > Rt 9 ORI (ORY O- E) RED- (ERED (AAR O-EIEE-(SREI
Converting the system of MeasureMents used in the United States from the presently used English System to the Metric System has been given a considerable push forward by the passage of the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, Virtually all of the other industrialized nations of the World now use the International Syste™ of Units ( abbreviated S.I, , from the French), A recommendation was made some years ago that a coordinated program, ona national level, be started which would complete the conversion in ten years, the new bill which was passed does not have a time limit ( after all ten years is too short a time in which to expect Congress to boila three Minute egg),
That leads us into Mike Werner's latest offering arguing against the 2,54 centimeter worm of progress catching up to us all,
HOW ISPENT MY SUMMER VACATION, A BUNDLE, AND CONSIDERABLE RHETORIC EFFORT IN RECOUNTING THE DATA or, What Seemed Like 20,000 Leagues (110,000 kilometers ) Under the ''Sea Frontiers"
Spell
Faster, and faster the metric system is infringing on our sanitv, now with congressional sanction, We can look forward to quantifying our transactions and diversions in lengths, weights, and volumes that are always too big or too small to deal sensibly with the business at hand, On top of that, we'll be expected to strip our language of an array of smooth, tasty, bite-sized words like foot and mile, pint and gallon, ounce and pound, In their place, we'll be asked to take to our bosoms an inventory of such clanking, bolted-together hardware as ''kilometer''and '' deca - liter", Just let one of those erector-set contraptions get jammed sideways in your mouth, and you'll be lucky to get it unwedged and on its way without damage to your
teeth and gums,
Se |
Conchologists of America Bulletin 7 Page 7
But if this mensural and lexical onset catches us unprepared, it woul) uot be the fault of Sea Frontiers, the worthy periodical of the International Oceanographic Foundation, ( All of this is indispensable to the unusual nature of my vacation story, as you'll see.) When SF employa any of the units that are headed for the history ‘ books, it converts the measurements into metric, onthe spot, For over a year, it was so breathlessly eager in missionary zeal as to use the method exemplified in the excerptthat follows, Describing a real-life sea rescue it says, ''the airmen spotted a drifting liferaft.about 11/2 miles (2,4 kilometers) from the lifeboat,"
Say what you will about the metric system, this passage demonstrates clearly how a simple tutorial touch was cleverly employed for double service, Its second job, obviously, was to fan those narrational embers into flames, And even in subjects
that lacked the coals of drama, SF's parenthetic torches found, among the weights and measures, tinder for rhetorical fires,
This unlikely magic was applied assiduously ~ not to say relentiessly - to liven up every sort of subject from teredos to tornados, But alas « perhaps the apostolic ardor has cooled, or the resident stylist has become obsessed with some such fetish as rhetoric grace or readability, The conversions are now relegated to footnote status, a workea-day expedient that has robbed SF's pages of their recent editorial irides - cence,
Nevertheless, I was atill under the spell of the abandoned literary device when I sat down to put my summer adventures on paper— only to learn that simply uaing it doesn't assure higher-voltage prose, SF had quietly been practicing a scrie vener's sorcery so subtile as to escape my notice, Here is how my eager, unguided atternpt came out :