New YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 235 October 1977 Page 
addition to the tourist industry; to promote the appreciation of 
the shells by the general public; to encourage néW. edLEBotions ei- 
ther as hobbies or to lead to business ventures. As a result of 
the present increase in interest, fishermen now find collecting 
shells to be a profitable means of increasing family income. De- 
signers in the Thai fabric industry have studied her shells for 
their variegated forms and color schemes. 
Closest to her heart, however, is the placing of the museum at the 
disposal of charitable institutions for fund-raising purposes. On 
these occasions, proceeds from entrance tickets and from the small 
shell shop next to the museum are donated to a particular charity. 
Although Mrs. Urai indicated that she is not as active a collector 
as in the past, the museum is very well maintained and well worth a 
visit not only by those with a special interest in shells, but also 
by the casual visitor wishing to learn more about these fascinating 
and beautiful creatures of the land and sea. 
From: SAWADDI of March-April 1977 
Bangkok, Thailand 
RECENTLY NAMED CYPRAEA 
by Phillip W. Clover 
(FOREWORD by William E. Old: Usually only a few specimens are 
known when a shell is first described as a new species. As 
more specimens become available, some are recognized as dis- 
tinct species, while others are later considered as variants 
of well-known species. For a time newly described shells com- 
mand high prices. This is especially true with Cypraea, which 
are one of the most popular shell families with Snipe 
As an example, none of the "new" Cypraea mentioned herein are 
represented in the collection of the American Museum. Even if 
available, we would be unwilling to pay the exorbitant prices 
asked. An example of "how the mighty have fallen:" A few 
years ago a shell (not a Cypraea) was offered at $1,000 apiece 
Solely because it was a "new species." Today the same shell 
fetches 1/1000th of that figure! 
Mr. Clover's article appeared in FESTIVUS, publication of the 
San Diego Shell Club, Vol. VII, No. 6, June 1976.) 
* * * * * * * * * * * * % 
Since Dr. Burgess published his LIVING COWRIES in 1970, many new spe- 
cles of Cypraea have been named. Because there was a four year delay 
in its publication, the last photographs of new species in his book 
were named about 1966. Recently a new book, COWRIES, by Taylor and 
Walls, has illustrated many of these. The article below will attempt 
to cover all the species named since 1966 with information on when 
and where they were published and my opinion on their validity. 
angelicae Clover, 1974: from West Africa, size 19-30mn, mostly 
trawied 40-80 meters off Gulf of Guinea. It is similar 
titiana Cross. Published in Journal of 
in size to pe 
Conchology, Vol. 28-4, London, England. 
bernardi G. Richard, 1974: from Tahiti, Fr. Polynesia, size 12mm, 
found by divers in coral reefs. Looks somewhat like 
