62 American Se ash ells 



must rightfully dispose of specimens which have no data and are therefore 

 of no scientific value. Large and beautiful collections representing much 

 time and cost would have been of inestimable value to science had someone 

 only taken the time to record where each specimen was collected. "Aus- 

 tralia," "Hawaii" or "California" is not enough. An example of good data 

 would be: "North end of Captiva Island, Lee County, Florida. Leo Burry, 

 collector. July 4, 1952." Many careful collectors add interesting notes con- 

 cerning the depth of water, type of bottom, abundance, and so forth. A rare 

 shell in perfect condition, correctly identified and with accurate data, is 

 almost worth its weight in gold. 



PREPARING SHELLS FOR THE COLLECTION 



The beauty and value of a collection depends largely on the manner in 

 which specimens are cleaned and the methods in which the shells are arranged 

 and housed. The majority of snails and clams, whether they be marine, land 

 or fresh-water, may be cleaned of their animal soft parts by merely boiling 

 in fresh or salt water for about five minutes. The meat may be extracted 

 with a bent safety pin or icepick, depending on the size of the specimen. 

 Shells which have a highly glossed or enameled finish, such as the cowries 

 and olives, should never be thrown directly into boiling water. Start them 

 in warm water, bring slowly to a boil, and then let cool gradually. Any rapid 

 change in temperature will crack or check the polished surface. Save the 

 horny operculum or trapdoor of those species that have them. When the 

 shell is dry, a plug of cotton will hold the operculum in the aperture. 



Many species are difficult to clean even when the boiling system is used. 

 Usually the tip end of the animal's body remains in the shell of such genera 

 as Terebra, Vasum and Xenophora. Vigorous shaking or syringing with a 

 powerful blast of tap water will get most out. Filling the shell half full of 

 water and setting it out in the shade for a day or so with an occasional syring- 

 ing will help. If odors still persist a few drops of formaldehyde introduced 

 into the shells, plus a cotton stopper, will eliminate the objections. 



In the Pacific Islands most collectors bury their shells alive a few inches 

 under soft, dry sand. In a few weeks the specimens are dug up and washed. 

 The sand must be sifted for smaller shells and the opercula. Some people 

 who do not object to flies set their shells upside down in the sand and allow 

 blowfly larvae or maggots to clean out the meat in a week or so. Vigorous 

 rinsing of the shell is all that is necessary. 



Many delicate snails, including most land species and small fragile clams, 

 may be placed in fresh water overnight and then syringed or picked clean. 

 This system works well with Dentalium, Janthina, Marginella, OHvella, Trivia 

 and Cyphoma, although the last four genera may require a two-day soak. Bi- 



