standards, this simple method known as skin-diving is still employed by 

 native pearl divers. It is equally as well adapted to the collecting of shells. 



For the sake of better vision, the diver-collector had best be equipped 

 with some kind of underwater goggles. The most useful type, more of a 

 mask than a goggle, is made of a single sheet of glass fitted into a rubber 

 cup which fastens over the diver's face, leaving his mouth exposed for 

 gasping air at the surface. 



The collector need not be a masterful swimmer, capable of holding his 

 breath for long periods under water, for many interesting shells are to be 

 found at wading depth and by the simple expedient of placing his face in 

 the water he may examine the rocky crevices and closely observe the 

 gorgonians for possible molluscan life. Heavy rocks, too large to be turned 

 over without the water's helpful buoyancy, may be flipped over and the 

 under surfaces carefully searched for living specimens. It is a fascinating 

 and profitable experience which affords the collector a view of undersea 

 life quite unattainable through a glass-bottomed bucket, from the surface. 

 The limiting factors are, of course, the inability to stay down as long as 

 desired and the relatively shallow depth to which it is practical to descend. 

 At 30 feet the pressure upon normal ears becomes extremely painful and 

 it is dangerous to attempt diving much deeper. 



Wearing heavy canvas gloves is advisable if rock turning is planned. 

 Caution must be exercised before a hand is inserted into a crevice or rock 

 cavity, for, in tropical waters, morays and stone-crabs are capable of inflict- 

 ing serious injury. The modern bathing suit exposes such a quantity of 

 human epidermis that care should be taken to prevent stinging hydroids 

 and corals from touching uncovered surfaces. The stinging, although not 

 particularly dangerous, is most annoying. Clear water is as essential to the 

 diver's safety as it is to his efficiency. Large fish are much less likely to mis- 

 take a diver for something edible if the visibility is good. In the event that 

 a barracuda should approach the swimmer must endeavor to be calm and 

 deliberate in his movements. He should never attempt to work around 

 rocks in a pounding surf, for the glass face-plate might be smashed with 

 disastrous results to his eyes. Some sort of a "game bag" is almost necessary. 

 It may be tied about the waist but must be so fashioned that it cannot 

 dump its contents. If vials are used, they should first be filled with water, 

 for air- filled vials have a disconcerting tendency to float away and become 

 lost. 



It is extremely difficult to ofTer any helpful suggestions regarding man- 

 ner of collecting and where to look for specimens. Habits of marine mol- 

 lusks vary widely with locality and often the best collecting occurs in the 

 least likely habitat, hence, no regular rules may be followed. Much remains 

 to be learned about the habits, breeding cycles, and seasonal migrations of 

 even the commoner mollusks. No one knows why an area which affords 

 marvelous collecting one year may be devoid of life the next. Remember, 

 however, that most mollusks are exceedingly gregarious and while the 

 search for that nearby colony may long seem futile, persistence, in the end, 

 does not go unrewarded. 



(31) 



