

Page 2 November 1979 No. 256 NEW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES 
sonall I returned all but two to the sea, but I am absolutely 
sure that all were the same. Further, I am also sure that they 
were the same as those being offered for sale. When goiresans 
them this last weekend, it was quite clear to me that opey, were 
very different from the arthritica that I already have from other 
areas in the Indian Ocean. 1 had already noticed these differences 
ht that they were simply larger 
shells with better colouring. But on reading Abbott's detailed de- 
scriptions, it is quite clear that nearly all of the distinguishing 
features of rugosa are present in the specimens. We therefore have 
a range extension of this variety well into the northern Indian 
Ocean, and I certainly saw no typical arthritica in the same area. 
I have always believed that Abbott's remarks about sexual dimor- 
phism in this particular species were rather illogical remarks. To 
believe that all the Pacific species were female and all the west- 
ern Pacific specimens are male shows a singular lack of apprecia- 
tion of reproduction in a biologist! Examining arthritica, rugosa, 
and chiragra together, especially those specimens which I collected 
on the Maldives, it seems to me that we have here a western form in 
the Indian Ocean, an eastern form in the Pacific Ocean, and an in- 
termediate form between the two. But then perhaps I am making too 
much of too little. 
while on the Maldives, but thoug 
Of CYMBIUM CUCUMIS Ré6ding, 1798 
We are pleased to receive the following field note from Yves Rouget, 
Association La Faune Marine (NYSC member), 94 rue de 1'Epine, Gro- 
sage 7971, Hainaut, Belgium. His letter, addressed to our club, is 
dated the 2nd of August, 1979: 
Dear Sirs, 
This year I spent my holiday at Agadir, a town of south 
Morocco, along the Atlantic Ocean. For my stay in this place I 
walked along the beach each day and at low tide I was able to find 
one or two specimens of Cymbium cucumis, which is a very attractive 
shell and not very common. I have been very surprised at how big 
the animal is compared with its shell. For instance, for a shell 
of about 18cm the weight of the animal is more than one kilo!!! 
I give you this information for the members of the NYSC 
visiting Morocco: Along the beach of Agadir, boys sell living Cym- 
bium for about one dollar (never give more). The trouble is to 
take off the shell from the animal, which flesh is very hard. As 
the shell is fragile, one needs to use a good knife or, better, a 
saw. 
Yours truly, 
Yves Rouget 

A NEW FIELD GUIDE 
Houghton Mifflin Company, publishers, announce a n i 
Peterson Field Guide series: A FIELD GUIDE TO THE ATLANTIC SBASHORE 
from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras, by Kenneth L. Gosner The 
flora and fauna of the Atlantic coast...1047 species of marine and 
