shattered fragments of shale. When cut from the stems this holdfast almost 

 completely filled the boat so it was taken ashore and thoroughly searched 

 for shells. The haul proved to be so rich that a record was kept, which 

 came to a total of 53 species and about 440 specimens. — Allyn G. Smith, 

 Minutes, Conch. Club. S. Calif. 



Ever Try Sealed Beam Headlights? After one night of collecting this 

 way, we are so sold on the idea that we plan to do it at least 3 nights each 

 week. We use sealed beam car lights hooked up to a waterproof cable 

 attached to a battery placed in a mesh basket in an inner tube. These 

 really light up the water and do away with that feeling that something is 

 sneaking up behind you in the dark. — Mrs. Jean Kauanui 



A Trapping Idea. You may be interested in the shell traps used by 

 the Mexicans to trap the pink Murex for commercial purposes. It is the 

 simple old-fashioned automobile tire rim, over one side of which is stretched 

 chicken wire or fish net, with ripe old shark meat tied in the middle as 

 bait. Three wires around the rim, spaced equally, are brought together on 

 top to form a simple bridle. A rope long enough to reach the surface is tied 

 to this, and an airtight tin can to the other end to act as a float to mark the 

 location. These traps were planted in the afternoon, pulled up next morn- 

 ing and 350 pink Murex were collected. The shells are too sluggish to 

 escape while being pulled up; it is only necessary to avoid tipping the 

 trap. — Crawford Gate 



CLEANING MARINE SHELLS 



By B. R. Bales, M.t>. 

 Reprinted from 1941 report, American Malacological Union 



After the mollusk is collected, the problem presents itself as to the 

 best method of preserving it; and the ways are many and varied. A great 

 number are cleaned by simply boiling them and removing the animal, but 

 care should be exercised in bringing the animal out with a circular or 

 corkscrew motion; in other words it should be twisted out and with larger 

 specimens such as Fasciolaria, Busycon, and the like, an ice pick driven into 

 the body will give a firm hold where it is most needed. Never boil too 

 great a number of shells, other than bivalves, at one time, as the bodies 

 are much more easily removed while hot, and shells that have been boiled 

 and set aside for a time and have become cold are hard to clean because 

 of the contraction or shrinking of the bodies. The liver and other soft parts 

 are often left behind to make themselves very evident at a later time. Very 

 few Murex and Vasum are perfectly cleaned, as they seem to have a weak 

 connection between the muscular part of the body and the viscera; usually 

 there is a break at this point when drawing the bodies, leaving portions that 

 are next to impossible to remove. A few drops of formaldehyde introduced 

 into the shells will eliminate bad odors. It is a good plan to plug the 

 apertures with a wad of cotton for obvious reasons. When a crop of 

 Janthinas is thrown upon the beaches and the bodies are still in the shells, 

 it is well to place the specimens in fresh water overnight and the bodies 



(12) 



