Add other lots from other collecting regions. You will then learn to appre- 

 ciate individual, ecological, and geographical variations. 



Exchanging. An amazing amount of traffic of duplicate material exists 

 throughout the country and in many parts of the world today. Exchanging 

 is an ideal way of sharing your local rich hauls and of obtaining species 

 beyond your collecting sphere. A list of the many hundreds interested in 

 exchanging is published in several directories of conchologists and natural- 

 ists. Sound out your prospective exchanger to learn what species or type 

 of material he desires, since advanced collectors are extremely "choosy." 

 Always give accurate locality data and send as perfect specimens as you can. 

 Some people make up elaborate exchange lists which they send around to 

 other collectors. Exchanging, although worthwhile, is time-consuming, and 

 great care must be taken that the upkeep of your main collection does not 

 suffer. 



Excellent specimens with largely reliable locality data may be obtained 

 from a number of dealers. Their prices are often high, but this is justified, 

 at least with regard to locally dredged material, by the high cost of operat- 

 ing boats and replacing dredges. Like antiques and costume jewelry, the 

 prices of shells vary with what people will pay. 



Shipping. When sending shells on exchange or to some other collector 

 for identification, always include a fully inscribed label with each lot. 

 Most shells are best protected by loose wrapping in old newspaper. Small 

 or fragile shells should be boxed with cotton. Mail or express shipments 

 up to 20 pounds will travel safely in cardboard cartons obtained from the 

 grocery store. The top and bottom should be padded with 2 inches of 

 crumpled newspaper. Small lots are conveniently sent in mailing tubes. 

 It is inadvisable to send living snails through the mails, and foreign imports 

 of living land and fresh water mollusks are prohibited by law except by 

 prior permission from The Surgeon General, U. S. Public Health Service, 

 or from The U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. 



Identification Services. Besides popular books and a few professional 

 papers available in public libraries, there are few places where amateurs 

 may turn for expert determinations. Fortunately, not a few private col- 

 lectors are even more familiar with their local faunas than are the profes- 

 sional workers. Although some charge fees for their services, most are only 

 too happy to identify your "sticklers." It is customary to name only ma- 

 terial which has been sorted and which has accurate and detailed locality 

 data, and to send a sufficient series so that the identifier may retain a sample 

 for his efforts. It is a breach of etiquette to send material before asking if 

 the identifier is willing to undertake the task. Sending photographs is 

 highly unreliable and is tantamount to saying that you do not trust the 

 specimens out of your hands. Some museums will identify specimens if 

 you are unable to do so after serious effort, and this, of course, can only be 

 done if the curator or research worker has the time. Never send more than 

 5 species at a time. It is surprising how many people abuse this service, 

 purely voluntary on the part of the expert, by sending unsorted, data-less 



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