
NeW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 247 December 1978 Page 5 
sold many of the shells. In 1846 he suffered an illness, possibly 
a stroke, from which he never fully recovered, although he visited 
the United States in 1850. He apparently spent the rest of his 
life as a shell dealer, and he died in 1865. The following year 
his entire collection was bought by the British Museum. 
The data for his later life are not as reliable as the later records. 
That his position in the conchological world was controversial was 
shown by Mr. Dance with a quote from a laudatory statement written 
in 1864 by Lovell Reeve, and another from a derogatory one written 
by Charles Hedley, of Australia, in 1910. 
Milton Werner, Recording Sec'y. 

REVIEW: Wagner and Abbott's 
STANDARD CATALOG OF SHELLS 
Third Edition, 1977, with Supplement I, September 1978. Approxi 
mately 300 pages, 84" x 11", plus a 50-page "Shell Collector's 
World Atlas" plus a stack of catalogue sheets for you to use in 
your own cataloguing, all on sturdy stock; four color plates, 500 
or more black and white line drawings. Published by American Mala- 
cologists, P.O. Box 4208, Greenville, Delaware 19807. Heavy duty 
postbinder, guide tabs, list price (including Supplement I) $40.00. 
The color plates are of 77 tent cones reproduced in natural size; 
the line drawings are scattered throughout the catalogue facilita- 
ting identification of the commonest species. The section on values 
is prefaced by a discussion of the fluctuation in supply and demand 
which is reflected in market values, and includes the italicized 
statement, "This shell catalog should not be confused with a deal- 
er's price list which is prepared for a limited time and is based 
on the individual dealer's supply." 
There is also a section on World Size Records. Did you know that 
the largest Giant Clam on record is right here at our American Mu- 
seum? And also the world record Lunatia heros, which was collected 
on Long Island and measures almost 42". 
The best way to indicate the scope of the Catalog is to give you ex- 
cerpts from the preface, in which its main purpose is described: 
"A listing of the known species in each genus, so that one may 
determine the completeness of one's collection. Synonyms or obso- 
lete names are included, so that those exchanging or purchasing may 
avoid duplications. 
A Aatueel classification of the mollusk shells showing the bio- 
logical order of the various classes, families, and genera, so that 
one's collection may be arranged for easier consultation. 
A bibliographic reference section...." 
In these first blished sections of this third edition there are 
thousands ae listings in 17 families. Future supplements dart Pa te 
additional families, bring to date values and size eta and make 
any alterations or additions necessary to keep you informed. 
4a 
To order or for further information, write to the publisher, Amer 
can Malacologists, P.O. Box 4208, Greenville, Delaware 19807. 
D. Raeihle 
