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SHELLS 



ings in wood, ivory and stone, and embroidery, are shown to advantage. 

 A special collection of great value is found in the ancient bronzes 

 shown in the wall cases near the entrance. 



Wkst Wing 

 SHELLS 



The collection of shells installed in the West Wing contains altogether 

 about 100,000 specimens representative of nearly 15,000 species. These 

 show extraordinary range of color and ornamentation. The arrange- 

 ment of the collection is as follows: first, in the south wall cases a series 

 showing briefly the classification of mollusks; second, in the eight table 

 cases at the north and south ends of the hall the collections of land shells; 

 third, in the upright railing cases the bivalves or mollusks which have 

 two shells like the common clam; fourth, in the metallic cases the 

 univalves, mollusks which have only one valve or shell like the snails; 

 fifth, special exhibits of shells in the north wall cases. Other cases con- 

 tain exhibits illustrating the anatomy and habits of mollusks; colored 

 transparencies show them in their habitats. A series of colored photo- 

 graphs (north end rail cases) illustrates stages in the pearl-button indus- 

 try of the United States. 



Facing the entrance is a huge shell of the giant clam, Tridacna, 

 measuring 43 by 27 inches and weighing 579 pounds, one of the largest 

 examples on record. 



Short descriptive group labels will be found in the cases, and on the 

 walls, picture labels of important families of shells, together with small 

 Maps of Distribution defining the occurrence of the same throughout the 

 world. 



An interesting collection of deformed shells is seen in the north case, 

 and a series illustrating the ornamental uses of shells. Cases of especial 

 beauty in their shell contents are those holding Murez, Fusus, Volute, 

 Conus, Oliva, Strombus, Cyprcva, Trixia. 



Return to the South Pavilion, containing the apes and monkeys. 



DECORATION FROM THE SHELL HALL 



