THES CONCHOLOGISTS’ - EXCHANGE: 
On 
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spend a great deal of time and some money in 
collecting old postage stamps, tin tags and the 
like. What benefit can result from such col- 
lecting I cannot possibly see, unless it be to 
keep the persons so engaged out of mischief 
Yet there are large colléctions of tin tags held 
at a high money valuation in this country, and 
we have an organization of stamp collectors 
with regular officers, who meet and transact 
business. 
It seems to me that the time, money and en- 
ergy spent in such occupations could be far 
more profitably employed in making collections 
of natural history specimens in any of the many 
interesting departments Even if the collector 
had no aim in view except obtaining the largest 
possible number of species, it seems to me 
scarcely probable that he could get together a 
large collection in any department of natural 
history, without at least beginning to feel some 
interest in the study of the branch in which he 
was collecting, and, at any rate, his specimens 
might fall into the hands of some one who 
would make such a study and be benefited 
by it. 
But it seems to me that there are very many 
who fall far short of the highest aim in collect- 
ing shells. With many the idea seems only to 
be the obtaining of the greatest possible num- 
ber of species, while others wish only to make 
a fine show; and hence, desire only exactly 
matched pairs or triplets of shells, perfectly 
alike in form, sculpture and coloring. No 
doubt a large collection is always desirable, or 
extra fine specimens, and certainly anyone is 
justified in making as attractive-and showy a 
cabinet as possible. Yet I think the true stu- 
dent of Conchology has a higher aim in view 
than mere numbers or fancy specimens or sets. 
My shells are a set of tools to enable me to 
learn something of the science of Conchology; to 
assist in studying out the relationships of species, 
genera and families; the variations of species 
and varieties; the questions of geographical dis- 
tribution, and other kindred subjects. For this 
reason I had rather have two varieties of a 
species than the best matched pair in the world, 
as one is but a repetition of the other, and can 
teach nothing that the other does not. and to 
me a set of the different forms and colors of a 
species means much more than a hundred fine 
specimens which are all alike. Many persons 
in collecting utterly refuse to get or receive 
young shells, and yet I believe, where it is pos- 
sible, they should be always obtained, especially 
where they vary much in appearance or form 
from the adults. 
Many a hasty naturalist has given a name to 
the young of some well-known species, whereas, 
if he had only taken the trouble to collect a 
set of all ages, he might have saved the litera- 
ture of science another synonym. 
In collecting I believe it to be well to obtain 
every possible variety and variation; reversed 
forms, arrested growths, and monstrosities. 
Even worn shells are sometimes valuable, for 
there have been many species founded on such 
specimens, which, of course have to be relegat- 
ed to the synonymy. I always, when I can do 
no better, collect odd valves, worn specimens, 
or even broken shells, as I can learn some 
things from such specimens that I cannot “rom 
the best descriptions or figures. 
If one is fastidious about appearances, he 
can put these ‘‘black sheep” in an old cabinet 
somewhere by themselves, and my word for it, 
if he ever astonishes the scientific world with 
many discoveries, he will go to them for ex- 
amination and comparison quite often. 
Then let me say to young collectors, let your 
collecting go hand in hand with studying; carry 
your note-book wherever you go, on the sea- 
shore, by the streams, or in the forests; jot 
down carefully every fact connected with dis- 
tribution, habits, place and position of the 
mollusca that you may find, and such jottings 
may afterwards prove of great value to yoyprself 
and others; preserve the operculum of every 
species having one, and keep up a constant 
comparison among your species. Comparison 
was the chief point in Prof. Agassiz’s teaching, 
and no more successful teacher ‘ever lived. 
With careful study, as well as collecting, there 
is not a person interested anywhere who cannot 
add something to science or make valuable 
discoveries. 
Ovallala, Neb., Oct. 5, 1887. 
