10 



EAST COAST MARINE SHELLS 



dues, for corresponding members, are nomi- 

 nal. 



The monumental monographs of Reeve, 

 Sowerby, Tryon, Pilsbry, and others, lav- 

 ishly Illustrated with hand-colored plates, 

 may be consulted In the libraries, also 

 many other works which have appeared in 

 various languages. 



Some years ago and far from the 

 western centers of learning, a Japanese 

 founded in his country at Kyoto a museum 

 which was the first exclusively devoted to 

 shells. Y. Hirase, the founder, with great 

 personal sacrifices succeeded In turning up 

 many new or little-known shells within the 

 borders of his Empire and adjacent terri- 

 tory. He published a small magazine, print- 

 ed in both English and Japanese, well il- 

 lustrated and entirely devoted to his 

 chosen subject. His later "Shell Illustra- 

 tions" published separately reflect In 

 their composition the rare taste and in- 

 genuity of his countrymen. In a country 

 where all art is inspired by nature we find 

 a deep appreciation of Its various manifes- 

 tations. Even among the most humble and 

 the very young there is a keen realization 

 of the beautiful and an intelligently di- 

 rected urge toward Its appreciation and ap- 

 plication to the practical everyday af- 

 fairs of life. 



Shell Hunting With a Camera 



Of particular value to the active 

 naturalist is the miniature camera. Infield 

 v;ork it obviates the necessity of carrying 

 bulky and cumbersome equipment into inac- 

 cessible places. 



The author uses an instrument of 

 German manufacture and all of the photo- 

 graphs which accompany these pages were 

 secured with it. The various accessory 

 lenses permit copying portions of rare ref- 

 erence books, both text and plates, with 

 comparative ease and rapidity. Many libra- 

 ries issue permits to bona fide students 

 who desire to undertake this work. 



The shell collector should obtain 

 close-ups of life in tidal pools and upon 

 rocks. The telephoto lens may aid in cer- 

 tain undertakings. Motion pictures of ac- 

 tive mollusks ere often very instructive 

 and valuable. Microphotographs are not 

 difficult to take and together with notes 

 open new worlds of pleasure and satisfac- 



tion. Once used in connection with shell 

 work the camera will be found indispensable. 



Drawings of Shells 



Those possessing artistic ability 

 will find their own sketcnes of living mol- 

 lusks accurately done, particularly in out- 

 of-the-way places, often real contributions 

 to science. The delicate and beautiful 

 nudlbranchs, or naked sea mollusks which 

 lack shells make splendid subjects. These 

 quickly shrink and deteriorate when pre- 

 served in alcohol. Paintings of these 

 alive, the subjects immersed in sea water, 

 often later permit more complete descrip- 

 tions than otherwise would be obtainable. 

 The camera luclda drawings are also worthy 

 of mention. 



The Microscope 



The most suitable type for examin- 

 ing small or minute shells, radulae and for 

 dissection is the binocular. Using a small 

 electric spotlight focused upon the subject 

 many hours can be spent comfortably. The 

 various interchangeable eyepieces and objec- 

 tives permit a wide range of magnification 

 and area covered. The chief objection to 

 this Instrument is Its cost, between one 

 and two hundred dollars when new. These 

 microscopes are manufactured in Buffalo, 

 New York, and also are imported from Germany. 



The well-known one-tube microscope, 

 if sufficiently low-powered, may be used 

 for infrequent work but the resultant eye 

 strain will be found detrimental. 



Shell Clubs and the National Society 



Two flourishing local clubs, doing 

 serious work, are in Boston and Los Angeles, 

 respectively. Others are needed in various 

 sections of the United States. 



Clubs conducting informal gather- 

 ings afford opportunities for discussion 

 and comparison of specimens. An occasional 

 field meeting adds zest and a leader may 

 conduct members to the richest and most in- 

 teresting stations for shells. New re- 

 cruits soon are enlisted in the cause. 



The American Malacological Union, 

 founded in 1931, holds an annual meeting 



