58 American Seashells 



especially if you have waded a long distance out to some small isle at low 

 tide. Tidal currents can sometimes be extremely strong at the narrow mouths 

 of inlets, and swimmers are urged to familiarize themselves with local condi- 

 tions. 



If one were to take into the field the collecting equipment which has 

 been recommended by friends and books, one would certainly resemble 

 a busy Christmas shopper in full knightly armor. Crowbars, bilge pumps, 

 shovels, rakes, sets of screens, hammer and chisels, even water wings and 

 miner's caps have been suggested. It is true that these and many other pieces 

 of equipment are ideal for very specific and limited purposes, but for general 

 collecting simplicity and lightness of gear are most essential. If at a later 

 date you wish to collect a certain species which lives in rocks, take along that 

 hammer and chisel. 



Streamlined collecting in the intertidal areas when it is calm calls for 

 little more than a pair of canvas shoes, bathing suit and a few small cloth 

 bags. Wear shirt and pants if the sun is bright and your tan still under- 

 developed. Two or three cotton bags may be tucked under the belt until 

 ready for use. Most shells may be picked up by hand, and the more fragile 

 ones put in matchboxes or thumb-sized vials. When a breeze is blowing 

 wrinkles on the surface of the water, it is impossible to see the bottom, and 

 many collectors use a glass-bottomed bucket or merely a diving mask floated 

 on the surface to clear a view. A square or oblong bucket about a foot each 

 way and ten or twelve inches high may be made of light wood and the 

 glass set in the bottom and held in place with a thin layer of white lead and 

 strips of molding or quarter-rounds. If the inside is painted dull black reflec- 

 tions on the glass will be held to a minimum. For a clearer view wet the 

 inside of the glass occasionally. The water bucket is useful to those who 

 enjoy diving for shells. It not only serves as a friendly support between 

 dives, but may be used as a collecting receptacle. Diving masks or water 

 goggles are indispensible for collecting many species which are normally 

 found in waters down to twenty feet in depth. 



A fine-mesh wire screen bought in any kitchen utensil store can be put 

 to excellent use in sandy or muddy areas where many interesting small shells 

 live. Screening for mollusks is a favorite pastime with many collectors, and 

 many types and sizes of screens have been designed. Copper mesh should be 

 used if you plan to screen over a period of a few months. 



Forceps are sometimes useful in getting small shells out of rock crevices, 

 but in general it does not pay to search individually for minute shells. Mass 

 screening or taking a large bagful of bay bottom or beach drift home for 

 leisurely sorting in the evenings brinos richer rewards. Shaking clumps of 

 seaweed over the screen often gives encouraging results, for many uncommon 



