NEW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 256 November 1979 rage 7 
great interest in shelling by many scuba divers who are stationed 
at the US Military Base there. I suggest that it is possible that 
Reeve's specimen is mislocated, since Diego Garcia was a frequent 
water and fuel stop for sailing ships, the sailors who manned these 
ships were not too careful about keeping records of where they ac- 
quired their specimens, and were not above supplying false but more 
"exotic" locality data for shells if they felt it would entice 
higher prices. 
This specimen, despite being ex pisces, has a remarkable degree of 
gloss on all of its surfaces, which suggests that the fish was 
caught not long after the shell was swallowed. I do not know from 
which species of fish this shell was taken, but general experience 
has shown that the fish that do swallow and feed on Cypraea are 
bottom-feeders, dwell in deep water, and are rather localized in 
their habitat. All of which suggests that it is a fairly safe as- 
sumption to extend the range of Cypraea barclayi and perhaps cen- 
ter it off Natal, South Africa. 

Cypraea barclayi Reeve, 1857 
22mm L, 13.6mm W, 11.7mm H 
Specimen in the collection of, 
and photograph by 
Robert H. Janowsky 
THALASOPSAMMOPHTILES 
In COASTLINES 10(4)6, July-August 1979 (New York State Sea Grant In- 
stitute, SUNY 10 as University), Linda O'Dierno authors an 
article, "Denizens of the Deep." It begins: "As the mercury rises 
during the hot summer months, people just naturally gravitate to- 
ward the sea. There hundreds of thalasopsammophiles--better known 
as beach lovers--gather to collect pebbles, shells and all kinds of 
King Neptune's treasures!" 
: = the sea 
We researched the word. It is from the Greek: thalassa = t . 
psammos = sand, philos = loving. Thus thalasopsammophiles = a 
group of shell club members on a field trip. The adjective is : 
easier: thal'-as-soph'-i-lous = inhabiting the sea or its shores; 
fond of the sea. dr 




