Museum of Natural History, Pacific Grove. Small collection of California mollusks. 

 Curator: M. E. Hinshaw. Exhibits. 



Natural History Museum, San Diego; maintained by the San Diego Society of 

 Natural History. Very large general collection, especially strong in Panamic fauna. 

 Major collections: H. N. Lowe (West American, especially Panamic fauna, Lowe Bequest 

 of $25,000 for curation); Fred Baker (general, mostly Eastern and Western Pacific); 

 A. M. Strong (West American, much sub-megascopic material); and J. E. Anderson 

 (general). Curators: Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Chace; Research Associate: Dr. J. L. Baily, Jr. 

 Library. Exhibits. 



Allan Hancock Foundation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Large 

 collection of Eastern Pacific material, especially strong in Panamic fauna; collection 

 obtained in most part by dredging operations of the Velero III and IV. Bulk of collec- 

 tion preserved in alcohol. Curator: Dr. N. T. Mattox. Good library. 



Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles. General collection, including some West 

 American material in alcohol. Curator, Dr. H. R. Hill. 



Department of Geology, University of California at Los Angdies. West American 

 material, comprising the personal collection of the late George Willett. Curator: Takeo 

 Susuki. Library. Mesozoic and Tertiary collections. 



Cabrillo Museum, San Pedro. Maintained by Recreation Department. Exhibit of 

 Pacific Coast fauna. Curator: John Olquin. 



MECHANICS OF A SHELL CLUB 



By Robert J. L. Wagner 

 Secretary, Philadelphia Shell Club 



People want to "belong" and to be accepted by groups. They expect 

 something from these groups (many never know just what) and they want 

 to be entertained. This association must be reasonable in price, not too 

 technical, in a location that is readily accessible, and at a time that does 

 not interfere with other social obligations. How to meet these requirements 

 is a constant challenge, especially so when organizing and conducting a 

 successful shell club. 



It must be realized that with the increased publicity concerning the 

 things of the sea now being provided by books, television programs, news- 

 paper articles, sale of shell kits and specimen shells by an ever- increasing 

 number of dealers — because of these coupled with our magpie instinct to 

 collect things, shell clubs should be on the increase. We must be prepared 

 to cope with the situation attending the formation of such clubs. People 

 are going to want more and more knowledge concerning the little- known 

 ocean. Discoveries accompany each shell expedition while explorations of 

 this vast field are really just beginning. Our whole future existence may 

 depend on our persistent efforts to assemble, teach, train, and guide ocean 

 enthusiasts that they in turn may disperse the knowledge gathered from 

 these trained amateurs. The Philadelphia Shell Club has undertaken a 

 study to determine, if possible, an answer to the above problems. 



Membership. Membership growth is apt to be rapid after the initial 

 organization of a shell club. The trick, then, is how to keep these members 

 coming out to meetings, taking real interest, and recruiting new members. 



One of the first points to consider in trying to achieve a good attend- 

 ance is finding out why people join in the first place. Some are inquisitive, 

 just want to see what it's all about. Some already possess a few shells, wish 



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