Collectifig American Seashells 61 



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 operating 

 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 twenty 

 pounds will travel safely in cardboard cartons obtained from the grocery 

 store. The top and bottom should be padded with two 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. De- 

 partment 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 collectors are 

 even more familiar with their local faunas than are the professional workers. 

 Although some charge small fees for their services, most are only too happy 

 to identify your "sticklers." It is customary to name only material 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 tanta- 

 mount to saying you do not trust the specimens out of your hands. Some 

 museums will identify specimens if vou are unable to do so after serious 

 effort, and this, of course, can be done only if the curator or research worker 

 has the time. Never send more than five 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 shells. It is more important that the profes- 

 sional spend his time in caring for his vast collections, doing his research and 

 writing^ for the benefit of all, than in identifying for the few. Medical work- 

 ers, agriculturalists, archaeologists, fisheries men, ecologists and other profes- 

 sional malacologists already demand a great deal of his time. 



