ARRANGEMENT AND STUDY OF SHELL COLLECTIONS 



THE SHELL COLLECTION 



By R. Tucker Abbott 



Reprinted from American Seashells 



Although seashells are easy to keep since they do not deteriorate and 

 generally do not fade in color like many insects, they present many special 

 problems in housing because of their many sizes and shapes. There are 

 three general types of collections — the knick-knack shelf, the display ar- 

 rangement, and the study collection. 



The first of these is usually the result of a summer's random beach 

 collecting by the novice or a living-room auxiliary to the main collection. 

 Many important private collections have started in this manner. 



The display collection for museums, libraries, clubs or even the home 

 is limited by the pocketbook and by the type of secondhand display cabinets 

 that can be afforded. Little more is needed than common sense attention 

 to matters of good artificial lighting, attractive but neutral background, 

 neat labeling, choice of specimens and especially the avoidance of over- 

 crowding. The exhibit should be designed for its eye- appeal as v/e\\ as for 

 its interest. One has a wide choice of themes — a selection of local shells, 

 mollusks of economic or medical interest, shells of odd habits, examples of 

 colors and patterns and a host of others. The labels of exhibits showing 

 classification should bear the scientific and common names and the geo- 

 graphical range. Miniature display boxes with cotton background and glass 

 or cellophane covering are very popular and, if of uniform size, may be 

 neatly stacked in a closet when not in use. 



The name "study collection" may sound ominous to some but, if a 

 few simple principles are followed, this type of housing will bring more joy 

 and less work than any other system. It is not only neater, more compact 

 and equally as attractive as the display type, but it also permits the col- 

 lector to locate any specimen quickly and add new material with a mini- 

 mum of rearranging. The simplicity, uniformity, and mobility of equip- 

 ment, such as drawers, trays, labels, and vials, and the use of the biological 

 or systematic order of arrangement are the essence of a good collection. 



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