Investigate the under sides of rocks and coral on reefs whenever possible for Chama 

 Trivia and Murex. Search muddy tidal flats for Melongena, Anamalocardia and 

 Barnea. On sand bars you will find a host too numerous to comprehend such as 

 Ficus, Fasciolaria, Pyrum, Tellina, Strom bus, Cardium and Tellidora. Digging on 

 the sand bar will be amply rewarded. The grassy bottoms are host to Marginella 

 and Laevioardium mortoni. 



Dredge in deep and shallow water. Do not overlook the brackish waters of the la- 

 goon. 



HOW TO SHELL 



Explore, discover for yourself! Many of the shells will be in evidence but the major- 

 ity will be concealed on pilings; under rocks; buried; or in tracks. Seek only live 

 specimens or freshly dead. Study the animal as it moves about in its natural habi- 

 tat. The shell is beautiful when prepared for display, but far more interesting when 

 you have observed it alive. It is good sportsmanship to refrain from gathering speci- 

 mens ruthlessly thus cleaning out an entire colony. It takes time for these shells to 

 reproduce and mature. Many have become extinct in some areas because of such 

 abuse. 



The following equipment is helpful, a shovel for digging between high and low. tide 

 mark and on exposed sand bars. A sieve to wash away the sand and retain small mol- 

 lusks. A net for dredging can be made by fastening a conical bag of netting on a 

 strong wire hoop with a handle. Tongs are a favorite tool of the writer who is 

 most squeamish at investigating the unknown by hand. A small sharp knife is need- 

 ed for removing limpets, chitons, etc. Be sure not to disturb them in advance or, 

 once alarmed, it will be impossible to dislodge them without damaging the shell. 

 Drop the chitons in a jar of alcohol to preserve. Otherwise the animal will curl up 

 and it is no easy matter to persuade it to relinguish this attitude. You will want a 

 pail for carrying large specimens, and an assortment of small jars for more deli- 

 cate shells. These jars can be labeled on the spot to avoid confusion of data later. 

 Adhesive tape makes an excellent label that will not fall off when wet. 



In order to successfully transport any of the starfish family drop them immediately 

 in a strong solution of Epsom Salts.This causes them to relax , a state from which 

 they never recover. It is then possible to arrange them for drying in a pleasing 

 form. If you do not follow this procedure they will throw their legs when disturb- 

 ed. Before drying run a few drops of formaldehyde along the underside of the legs 

 and body. 



The most simple form of dredge is a colander held over the side of a small boat. An 

 inexpensive type dredge can be made from a 3' length of 9" sewer pipe. Plug one end 

 with a wooden plug and tie ropes through equally spaced holes around the other end. 

 Tie these ropes to a tow line. It is always safe to attach a float to the dredge in case 

 the tow line breaks. The tow line should be double the depth of the water to allow 

 the dredge to slide along the bottom. 



