- A Sf ANDARD SHELL GRADING SYSTEM?

AN EDUCATIONAL
PUBLICATION
OF THE HAWAIIAN
MALACOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
-
YOLo XXI NO.3
MARCH. 1973
A Sf ANDARD SHELL
GRADING SYSTEM?
by ELMER LEEHMAN and
STUART LILLICO
The need for standard descriptions and unifoml temlS for specimen shells is an obvious
one, particularly among serious collectors and
dealers. How many arguments have been
generated by the ambiguity of such phrases as
"a fine shell," "perfect specimen," and "in
excellent condition ?"
It is a safe statement that everyone who
exchanges shells has been surprised, disappointed or embarrassed at some time by another
collector's understanding of the meaning of
what we regard as nomlal descriptions. Truly,
one man's jewels may be another man's junk!
This subject came up during recent correspondence with shell dealers. They urged
Hawaiian Shell News to take the in)tiative in
defining and publicizing some sort of universal
grading standards for shells comparable to those
found in other hobbies such as stamp, coin,
book, gun and gem collecting.
The pitfalls in any such effort are obvious to
an experienced malacologist. A species such as
Conus %Onatu8, for example, normally has
several visible growth marks, and may even
have a hole or two. How should such a shell be
NEW SERIES NO. 159
by RU1 'H FAIR
In the past couple of years the Bursidae have
been reviewed in both Australian Shells by
Wilson and Gillett and in Marine Shells of the
Pacific by W. O. Cernohorsky. This has given
us up-to-date information on the family and an
opportunity to bring the Hawaiian names up to
date.
The Bursidae are a small family of about 30
Warnl-water species,found throughout the IndoPacific, the Caribbean and Florida. They are
heavy, coarsely sculptured members of the
Superfamily Tonnacea, close relatives of the
tritons, from which they can be separated, however, by the presenceof a strong posterior canal
on the aperture. Few Bursa have a periostracum, but the shells have a tendency to
become heavily coated with calcareous growths.
They are reef dwellers, generally found under
coral or rocks. Some species are found in a
muddy-sand habitat.
According to Cernohorsky, the animal has a
very strong, short foot, short tentacles with
graded?
The answer, we believe, lies in recognition
that the standard is intended to reflect the
condition of the specimen, not the value or the
scarcity. A typical C. %onatus, therefore, might
be classified (under the system we are proposing) as "good" or even "fair," even though it
is extremely desirable.
Conversely, a C)praea moneta could be
called a "gem," if its condition rated that term,
even though its monetary value was slight.
Let us call this a provisional shell grading system. We solicit comments, revisions, even
amplification. And we suggestthe trial adoption
of the system, to test it in action.
In time, we propose to incorporate all the
"feedback" into a more definitive set of standards for publication in Hawaiian Shell News.
r:nnt'd nn P~e
4
small eyesand a radula with seven teeth per row
with 50 to 80 rows of teeth. Some species are
reported to feed on marine worms, which they
swallow whole. The females lay urn-shaped egg
capsules in clusters on the undersides of stones
or piecesof coral. There is a veliger stage.
Seven species of Burss have been recorded
from Hawaii. Nearly all of the Hawaiian species
are found at snorkelling or scuba depths, but
two - T. bubo and T. bufo - have been taken
only from deep dredgings and deep-water fish
traps.
According to Wilson and Gillett, Tutufs
appears to be the correct generic name for the
species bubo, bufo and rubets.
Tutufs bufo Roding, 1798
Tutufs bufo is a moderately common species
in other parts of the Indo-Pacific, but only one
specimen is recorded from Hawaii. This unique
specimen was dredged during the first Pele
Expedition in 1959 from a depth of 900 feet off
Keehi Lagoon, Oahu. It is deposited in the
Bishop Museum.
According to an article in HSN, January
1962, the shell is 5Y2 inches long, and has a pale
creamy-tan body whorl, richly ornamented with
knobby varices, and encircled by transverse
knobby ridges. Columella smooth, with a
broadly raised callous which is pale pink. The
interior of the aperture is dark rusty red, outer
lip not broadly expanded (as in T. bubo I and
rather strongly ridged within the denticled outer
marlZin.
Tutufa bubo Linnaeus, 1758
A strong resemblance between T. bubo and
T. bufo can be noted. The similarity in names
also leads to confusion. T. bubo is taken,
crabbed, in fish traps from deep water around
Hawaii. It is not a common species, however,
an~ few Hawaiian collectors have one in their
collections. Bursa lampas L., 1758 is a
-
synonym.
T. bubo can easily be separated from T. bufo
by the strong transverse lirae on the columellar
shield and the granulose knobs on the body
Tutu fa bufo
Photo: Kemn
Cont'd on PaRe 3
Page 2
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
More than 150 members who attended the
February HMS meeting at the First Methodist
Oturch heard HSN editor-in-chief (and HMS
past president) Ellis Cross discuss "Shelling
locations Around Oahu." As Cross' prowess as
a speaker is well known, it was no surprise that
the meeting was the best attended in recent
history.
Ellis listed and described his formerly secret
shelling spots, and supplemented his remarks
with maps, charts and slides, plus a few recently
collected specimens. His diagrams indicated
depths, bottom conditions and other details of
importance to shellers.
Based on his twenty years of experience in
Hawaiian waters, Cross emphasized the need
for divers to be especially cautious of the strong
dangerous currents around Koko Head, Kaena
Point and the North Shore of Oahu. He warned
reef and lagoon collectors about the inevitable
"big wave" that smashes in every seventeen
minutes, on the average.
At the conclusion of the talk, Cross joined
Ibby Harrison, Betsy Harrison and Bunny
Cook in a shell identification clinic, with emphasis on the Mitridae. The Hospitality Committee under Inky Shields provided coffee.
E.G.L.
No Shell Show
The Directors agreed at the February Board
meeting to skip the usual HMS competitive shell
show in 1973; There was general agreement on
the desirability of holding the next show early in
1974.
Plans are being made to create one or more
small educational-type displays for possible use
in schools, at public gatherings and in shopping
centers. Mrs. Beatrice Burch is being asked to
direct this effort.
WHA T'S The Name?
SHELL AUCTION
The annual HMS Shell Auction is scheduled
for Sunday afternoon, September 30, at the
First United Methodist Church, Honolulu.
Members are asked to donate shells - particularly Hawaiian species.The sale is an important
source of funds for the Hawaiian Shell News.
Your generosity will be remembered. The
value of contributed shells is deductible from
your Federal income tax!
Everyone knows how zoological names are
handled in a scientific publication - or does
he? The editorial staff of the Hawaiian Shell
News found itself going around in circles recently as a result of differing understandings of
the standard rules of nomenclature. In hopes of
"jelling" the rules we try to follow and perhaps
assisting readers who may be confused about the
whole business, we offer the following explanation:
In the first place, we try always to print the
March,1973
two-word name in italics, capitalizing only the
first letter of the genus. The name of the man
who first described the species in a scientific
publication, and the date of publication follow
in Roman type. Thus: Conus striatus Linne,
1758. Note the comma before the date.
In instances where we feel that the inclusion
of a subgenus name is important, we print that
in italics and in parentheses between the genus
and the specific name, thus: Trochus (Tectus)
pyramis Born, 1778.
It frequently happens that the genus established by the original author has been superceded by more modem research. A good example is the popular Triton's Trumpet, which
Lirme in 1758 put into the genus Triton (the
name by which it was known for nearly two centuriesl. In recent years, however, it has been
recognized as a Charonia. When that happens,
the name of the author and date are printed in
parentheses: Charonia tritonis (Linne, 17581.
You seethis treatment most frequently in listings of Murex, miters and volutes, but it is
fairly common in all fields. (Myra Keen's Sea
Shells of Tropical West America has an
illuminating section on the dynamics of name
changes in the Panamic province. Anyone who
is annoyed by the seemingly endless changes
going on in malacology today should read it. It
won't make the situation any less complicated,
but at least you will understand why it's
happening.'
Hawaiian Shell News makes a serious effort
to determine and use the current valid name for
every shell it mentions. In practice, this is not
always possible to accomplish. Not only is the
knowledge of the editors finite, but research is
going on constantly allover the world and word
of new findings does not reach us instantly. We
refer all questions of nomenclature to Dr. E.
Alison Kay, HSN Technical Advisor and
Professor of General Scienceat the University of
Hawaii, generally regarded as Hawaii's No.1
authority on malacology.
Since the date of publication of an original
description may be vital in determining which of
several alternate names for a shell is the valid
one, HSN tries to include the date in its identifications. Contributors to HSN can do the editors a favor by providing dates. In the event you
are using a new name for a shell that long has
been known by another, add the old one in
parentheses.
Now does everyone know what we are saying
when we print:
Cymatium
(Charonia)
tritonis
(Linne,
1758) (Syn: Triton triton is Linne, 1758)?
One final point: The great naturalist, Carl
von Linne, the father of modern scientific
nomenclature, is sometimes identified as
Linnaeus (the Latin form I or simply L. HSN
uses Linne, but is quite tolerant of the other
forms.
Page 3
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
March,1973
HAWAIIAN BURSIDAE
Cont'd from Page 1
Bursa
granularis,
left;
B.
Photo: Kemp
affinis,
right.
Bursa rhodostolna
Bursa bufonia Gmelin, 1791
Here, again, is a species which is considered
common throughout the Indo- West Pacific and
is rather rare in Hawaii.
A solid appearing shell, B. bufonia has a distinctive cream-to-yellow aperture, and a wide
parietal shield. Specimensfrom other areas than
Hawaii may have a white aperture, but in
Hawaii they are always tinted. The shell is
rather flattened in appearance, with a deep posterior canal which is nearly closed and tube-like
and evident on earlier whorls.
Columella is coarsely, transversely lirate. The
body of the shell is cream or white, profusely
Photo: Kemp
Tutufa bubo. This specimen from Philippine.~,
turned to show !irae on aperture.
whorl. The whorls bear strong varices, crossed
by strong radial ribs. The interior of the aperture can be white, pink or sometimes red. The
outer lip is expanded and denticulate, the
denticles being paired.
This is a moderately common Indo- West
Pacific species, but is rare from Hawaii.
Bursa granularis Roding, 1790
Probably the most common in Hawaiian
waters, B. granularis is known in most local
collections as Bursa affinis Broderip, 1832.
According to Dr. Barry Wilson, however, B.
affinis is a variation or form of B. granularis
(shown above, right). There are many synonyms
for this variable shell.
The shells are rather flattened with strong
varices which are rounded. The spire is elongated, the surface of the shell sculptured with
granular spiral ridges. Aperture is creamy
yellow to white, with a reddish-brown columellar shield and strongly denticulate outer lip.
White transverse lirae are present on the
columella. Posterior canal shallow, open and not
apparent on earlier whorls. Exterior color
ranges from light tan to dark brown.
Moderately common in 12 to 60 feet of water.
Often found crabbed in shallow water and in
tide pools. Size ranges from one to two inches.
Bursa bufonia
Photo: Kemp
edged with white and ornamented with paired
white denticles and scattered white nodules.
The sizerangesup to 1Y4 inches,but is more
commonly about a half inch in length.
Moderately uncommon in depths of forty to
sixty feet on sand and coral substrate. The
heavy growths of limy substance on the shell
effectively camouflage this little species, 80 that
it is hard to see. It is considered rare, but may
simply be hard to find.
Bursa cruentata Sowerby, 1835
An attractive small species, usually about one
to 11/2inches in length. The blood-red or darkbrown spots which often appear on the
columella aid in identification of this species.
B. cruentata is ornamented with closely
spaced spiral rows of nodules and three sets of
prominent projecting tubercles on the raised
varices. Each whorl is ornamented with two sets
of strong tubercles. The outer lip is expanded
and scalloped, and the white aperture is denticulate. Columella margin and parietal shield are
covered by transverse lirae and nodules.
Photo: Kemp
spotted with brown. Size ranges from two to
three inches. Found on shallow reef benches and
in rubble in shallow water around Oahu. Rarely
found at Scuba depths.
Bursa rhodostoma (Sowerby, 18351
This small and attractive specieshas carried a
variety of names in Hawaiian collections, including B. venustula and B. mammata.
The shell is more globose in appearance than
most Bursidae, with rather low, rounded
varices. The exterior is white or gray, with two
varices per whorl and two or three coarse spiral
ridges per whorl, which extend up onto the
varices to form low knobs. The aperture is
rounded, wine-red (fading to brownish as the
shells remain in the cabinet), with columellar
shield extended onto the body whorl and
liberally sprinkled with whitish denticles and
nodules. Outer lip expanded and scalloped,
B. cruentata
Photo: Arnold
Moderately common in Hawaii in 25 to 60
feet of water on rocky bottom. A common
species throughout the Indo- West Pacific.
Cont'd on Page 5
HAW AllAN SHELL NEWS
Page 4
March, 1973
A SHELL GRADING SYSTEM
,
Cont'd from Page 1
We seea need for four standardsof quality.
Thesewe will call "gem", "fine", "good," and
"fair" quality. These grades are defined as
follows:
GEM QUALITY
A perf~t live-taken adult specimen, without
growth flaws and with a perfect spire, full size
and richly colored. Cones should have a perfect
lip. The specimen should be well cleaned inside
and out, with no broken spines. Operculum required with species having one. Glossy cowries
should have iI fine gloss and deep coloring.
Bivalves must have both valves properly
matched and unbroken. Complete collecting
data - species name, location, depth of water
and type of bottom, or other pertinent information - lire provided with gem-quality shells.
Photo:
J. Shells
Rare Shell
Discovered off Taiwan
Teremachia barthelowi Bartsch, 1942 is a
rare deep-water Volute. As late as 1970, it was
known only from the holotype, trawled in nearly
500 fathoms off Cagayan Island in the Sulu Sea
of the Philippines some years ago by the Albatross Expedition. This shell is in the U.S. National Museum at Washington.
Recently I was sent for identification th,ree
specimens of T. barthelowi that had been
trawled in deep water southwest of Taiwan, over
1,000 miles north of the type location,. These
fresh specimens are light brown and range in
length from 45 to 47mm. The holotype is only
27mm. The whorls of the teleoconch are covered
with many fine ribs; there are only two faint
columella folds and the outer lip is thin.
The animal and operculum had been removed
by the fisherman, which is unfortunate as this
rare species needs to have its radula studied.
Veligerfor July 1972 carries a discussion of the
proper genus for this shell. It may be a
Benthovoluta, which is in the Turbinellidae,
and not a Volute at all.
P. W. Clover
SHELLS FOR SALE
CARFEL SHELL EXPORT
1116 A. Mabini St.
Ermita, Manila D-406, Philippines
We specializein quality Philippine specimen
shells, ornamental, commercial shells and
handicrafts:Also Indo-Pacific collections.Free
list upon request.
FINE QUALITY
A live-collected adult shell with only minor
faults and not more than one minor growth flaw.
Color and gloss must be satisfactory. Operculum
n£>t mandatory if the specimen is otherwise
excellent. A cone shell may have a rough lip or
one small chip. The spire must be unblemished.
A Murex may have not more than two minor
frond breaks. No repairs
knobs -
-
filed lips or mended
permitted. Full data required.
GOOD QUALITY
A reasonably good specimen, not necessarily
live taken. A few defects, including growth
marks or no operculum, acceptable. Color
should be good, with only minor fading. Specimen may be subadult, but not less than 80 per
cent of average size. The nature and degree of
any repairs should be stated. Basic data (species
name and locale) required.
FAIR QUALITY
May be dead or beach collected. Cone lips
may be chipped and color somewhat faded.
Growth faults and imperfect spires are acceptable. No data or operculum required. (This
classification is comparable to the present
"commercial quality" classification. It is the
bottom grade.)
"GIANT"
SHELLS
Use of the word "giant" to describe the size of
a shell should be reserved for specimens that are
at least 25 per cent larger than the size listed in
the most recent edition of Van Nostrand's Standard Catalog of Shells. Pending inclusion in
that book, the holotype size data are applicable.
Do the above proposals cover all reasonable
situations? Are they unduly strict? Are they
logical? Is the difference between "good" and
"fair" quality clear?
Is the standard for "giant" too high? Should
it be, say, 15 or 20 per cent bigger than normal,
rather than 25? Should there be a comparable
definition of "dwarf?"
How important are full data to the average
collector? Is a shell more desirable with a fake
operculum than with none?
Photo: Schelling
An Unusual C.
annulus
While reefwalking off Nakadomari, Okinawa
in July 1972, HMS member Edward Schelling
foW1d an W1usual Cypraea annulus (above).
Captain Schelling reports that he thought at
first the shell was a Drupa, but that when
picked up and examined its true identity was
apparent.
The animal appeared to be normal.
COLLECTING CURBED
The State of South Australia has taken some
firm action to protect Cypraea thersites
Gaskoin, 1839, which is endemic to the Great
Australian Bight. It is an offense punishable by
a fine of up to 200 Australian dollars to collect
more than five specimens in one day. A closed
season from September 1 to February 28 each
year has been proclaimed to protect the shell
during mating and egg laying.
The Newsletter of the Malacological Society
of Australia reports that diver.collectors
gathered many hundred of this species from
sponge beds in short periods. One group is
credited with taking over 500 shells in a few
days. The price dropped from $7.10 to $2.3 as a
consequence.
"This is the first univalve apart from the abalone to merit controlled fishing in southern Australia," notes Neville Coleman. "Let us hope
that other states follow suit and restrict collecting on some of their more heavily fished species.
Otherwise our million dollar molluscs of the past
may become just that."
HSN needs answers to these questions.
Weare well aware that these proposals will
never win general acceptance unless a majority
of the scientists, dealers and collectors among
the HMS membership feel that they are fair and
workable. But there is widespread agreement
that the present absenceof a universal system is
a handicap to shell dealing.
If and when we secure a concensU8on these
standards, we propose to publish them again as
the "HMS International Shell Grading System." Thus may the Hawaiian Malacological
Society achieve immortality!
March. 1973
Cont'd from Page 3
Bursa rosa Perry, 1811
B. rosa is rather uncommon in depths to 60
feet around Hawaii. An occasional specimen is
found in shallow tidepools. Its distinctive elongated and prominent posterior canal, evident as
long, spiky tubes on earlier whorls, serves to
identify this attractive species. Several names
have been used for this species in Hawaii,
including B. siphonata.
B. rosa is slightly flattened, sculptured with
two heavy and prominent varices per whorl and
two or three knobs between the varices on each
HA WAllAN SHELL NEWS
London A uct;ons
by ALLAN C. HILLMAN
Every four months or so, Sothebys, the
famous London auction house, has a "natural
history" sale where shells, rocks, minerals,
butterflies IInd similar materials are put up for
auction. The November 1972 sale, which I atte~ded, had thirty-two "lots" of shells - a
rather large number.
In pre-auction conversations I got from
Sothebys their estimate of sale prices. I list them
below, along with the actual price.
(Ed. note: We leave these prices in sterling.
Remember, last November one pound was
worth about $2.45, but shell values often are
distorted by exchange rates.)
Est. Sale
T~"
Murex barclayi 3.5 in.
L50-100 ---
Page 5
Thatcheria mirabilis, 2 Epitonium scalare,
and a Murex sp. from Muscat - sold for one
pound, although it had been expected to bring
twenty to thirty.
A group of six shells - Turbo sarmaticus,
Melongena
melongena,
Vol uta musica,
Murex cornucervi, M. burnetti and Conus
genuanus - brought five pounds.
I felt that some of the early lots went cheap
because buyers had not yet "warmed up." Yet
the bids seemed erratic, as shown by the difference between estimates and actual prices of the
Conus bengalensis. The message of the
Strombus listeri seems clear, however. It no
longer is considered the rare being it has been in
the past.
Pleurotomaria hirasei
Dear Shell Club Members:
II
3.6 in. diam., w opere
30.40"
Last October I was privileged to assist in the
Spondylus crassiquama 51h in.
& S. leucacantha61hin.
15-20
12 formation of a new nationwide organization of
1 shell collectors known as Conchologists of
Strombus listeri 51hin.
20-30
S. listeri 5.3 in.
20-30
2
S. listeri 5.2 in
20-30
2 America.
There has been a definite need for an organi5 S. listeri 5 in.
25-30
14
Voluta bednalli 4 in.
50-60
22 zation which would unite people, primarily inv: grossi 4.4 in.
12-15
18 terested in shell collecting as a hobby. ConCymatium ranzanii 6 in.
20
3
2 Cypraeacribellum
20-30
12 chologists of America hopes to fill this void, but
5 C. gangranosa (growth ser.) 25-30
6 it will need your support.
C. marginata 21hin.
40.60
Our yearly convention will provide oppor10
5 C. nivosa (gr. ser.)
100
35 tunity to meet other collectors with similar in.
C. teulereil. 7 in.
15
3 terests, from all parts of the country, and our
2 Fusivollita clarkei 2.6 in.
12-15
5
Harpa costata2.7 in.
15-20
9 newsletter will give you a chance to exchange
H. virginalis I1h in.
20-30
22 collecting experiences, "fool-proof" shell-cleanBurss ross, Photo: Kemp
~ ing methods, and other information pertinent to
Lambis violacea4.1 in.
25-35
u
whorl. Strong transverseribs extend onto the Mures pazi, M. bequaerti, M.
shell collecting.
hidalgoi & M. nuttingi 15-20
1
varicesand the siphonalcanal is moderatelyreo
Annual dues are $2 per person. Make checks
5 Conus amadis (form casteneo-fasciatus)
curvedand short. Aperture is white deepinside,
payable
to Conchologists of America.
(growth ser.1
20-25
14
the throat is wine coloredwith the expandedlip
c. bengalensis21hin.
40
38
Dorothy Janowsky
45-50
28
and parietal callous creamy yellow to white. C. bengaleftsis3 in.
Secretary/Treasurer
70-80
25
Outer lip with strong pairs of denticles, C. bengalensis4.3 in.
946 Ralph Avenue
5
C.
eximius
(gr.
ser.1
20
1
columellalirate. Sizerangesfrom 3/4" to 1¥2".
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11236
5 C. voluminalis (gr. ser.1
20
3
References:
(HMS Corresponding Secretary Ibby HarriC. zonatus;21hin.
15-20
7
In addition, severalmixed lots went for sums son has a copy of the minutes of the organizing
Cemohorsky,W. O. Marine Shells of the
that
may have disappointedthe sellers.One lot meeting last October, for anyone interested. The
Pacific (1967) pp. 40.46
of thirteen,,:- including Latiaxis deburghiae, 3 1973 session will be at Fort Lauderdale, May
Wilson, B. and Gillett, K. Australian Shells L. lischkeanus. 2 L. ;aDonica, Conus ione, 2 18-20.)
(1972) pp. 81.82
Tinker, S. W., Pacific SeaShells (1958) pp.
"HAWAIIAN SEASHELLS"
98.100
This 32 page handbook presents large, full color photographs
Habe, T., Shells of the WestemPacific in
of 137individualspeciesof common and rare Hawaiianseashells.
Complete information about each specimen includes: common
Color, vol. II (19641 pp. 75-76
name, Hawaiian name, scientific name, size range in inches,
Hawaiian Shell News, Jan., 1962, p. 6
most common habitat, abundance,and commentsof general interest. The information was compiled by Stephen Quirk with the
assistanceof Betsy Harrison, both members of the Hawaiian
MalacologicalSociety. HAWAIIANSEASHELLSmakesa beautiful addition to the shell collector's library, and serves as an indispensableguide for' buying or trading Hawaiian shells.
Individuals, organizations, clubs, and retailers may purchase
12 or more copies of HAWAIIAN SEASHELLSat the wholesale
price of $1.20each. Dealer inquiries are invited. (Single copies
are available at the retail price of $2.00each.)
"
The RobertBoomCompany Box 4349 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Page 6
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
BOOKSPEAKING FOR
SHELLS FOR SALE
SHELL COLLECTORS
by E. R. CROSS
BLAGO MORA; by Dr. Fra. Jure Radic,
Malakoloska Zbirka, Franjefacki Samostan,
Makarska, Yugoslavia. $3.00 ($5.50 via air
mail).
A book about shells can be of interest to a
collector for many reasons. Probably his first interest is as a means of shell identification.
Usually an interest in books for the sake of the
publication itself then develops, and finally the
collection of shells also becomes a collection of
books about shells.
Blago Mora was developed by Dr. Fra Jure
Radic primarily to help visitors to the malacological museum of the Franciscan monastery
in Makarska, Yugoslavia, in the identification
of shells on display at the museum. Blago Mora
will serve this purpose for collectors anywhere.
But Father Radic added a bit more from his
store of knowledge about shells than just photos
and descriptions. A unique feature about Blago
Mora is that the author has provided, for many
of the shells, their common names in French,
German, Italian, English and, in a few cases, in
Spanish, Greek, Norwegian, Arabic and
Russian.
Also most of the shells illustrated or described
have, besides the Latin name, the Yugoslavia
name. Terebra maculata is Pjegavo svrdlo and
Tibia lusus becomes Vretenaste 'diple, to mention only two of the many shells illustrated.
Blago Mora is arranged according to the
latest scientific classification of mollusks and
has about 120 pages. It was published in 1970
and is for sale through Father Radic. The hard
cover and binding make for a lasting publication. There are many black and white illustrations plus tour excellent color plates of shells.
March, 1973
Dr. Fra. lure Radic, right, with laro Munz,
HMS member from Toronto. Dr. Radic,
founder of the malacological musemn in the
Franciscan monastery at Makarska, Yugoslavia, has doctorates in several fields, including
theology and biology, which he teaches in the
seminary at the monastery. He also is an internationally recognized authority on alpine plants.
"In the malacological musemn of the Franciscan monastery at Makarska (are) some thousands of species of shells," he writes.
"It was created by collecting, exchanging and
purchasing shells first from the Adriatic, then
from all the seas and oceans. Many individuals
and scientific institutions have contributed."
(Editor Cross didn't mention it in his review
above, but he contributed a nmnber of Hawaiian shells to the Makarska collection. I
Markarska, a beautiful city on the shores of
the Adriatic, is an unspoiled favorite with visitors from around the world.
T AIW AN'S OLD RELIABLE
SHELL DEALER
Over ten years in the business. Rare and common specimen shells; Shark's teeth and jaws;
Shell and Jade craft (rings, brooches and ear
rings) Turtle shells and Novelties. Only the very
best sent.
Otien Shen Company
P. O. Box 01128
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Rep. of Otina
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SHELLS
Box T 1738 G.P.0., Perth,
Western Australia 6001
Australia's finest shells come from the western seaboard. . . . We specialize in Cypraea
rosselli, C. jeaniana, C. marginata and Voluta
nodiplicata, JI: irvinae, JI: reevei and many
others.
New list just released now features Australian
chitons and Australian and worldwide marginellas.
Shells- Color Slides- Books
U.S.A.
The index, by Latin names of shells, is very
STIX DISPLAY STANDS FOR SALE
ENHANCE THE BEAUTY
OF YOUR FAVORITES
complete.
I found this book about the shells in the
museum in Makarska quite fascinating, even
though the book is basically in the language of
Yugoslavia. Perhaps my fascination is due partly to the strangeness (to a one-language American) of the book and its contents.
Rare shells, precious minerals and an endless
list of valued treasures are exhibited to their
maximum advantage and safety in the patented
STIX STAND. Available through many fine
shops, or write for specifics: STIX, 13 Vandam
Street, New York, N.Y. 10013.
The three photos by Andreas Feininger, are from the bOok SHELLS, text by William K,
E,nerson(A StudioBook, The Viking Press;$27.50), Shells wasreviewedin the Februaryissueof
HSN.
Murex pecten Solander,1786 (Syn: M. triremis) is found in the WesternPacific. It reachesa
lengthof six inches.Left aboveis the bivalve Callanaitis disjecta Perry, found near southeastern
Australia. It reachesa length of 2% inches.Xenophora pallidula Reeve (above)is frequently
called the orillinal collector of shells.
March, 1973
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
GiantStrombushawaiensis
by ANDY BUTLER
Diving in 50 feet of water off Niu valley,
Honolulu, Dr. Martin Redlich in November
found what may be a record size Stombus
hawaiensis Pilsbry, 1917. So far, however, we
have been unable to determine the current official record.
Accompanying Dr. Redlich were Mrs. Olive
Schoenberg and myself, with ll-year-old Billy
Watson as observer. Billy, grandson of HMS
past president Clifton Weaver, is already a
budding shell collector with a good Cypraea
gaskoini from Sharks Cove to his credit.
We anchored in Maunalua Bay at a point
where the hard coral substrate shelves into a
wide sand channel. We found little, and I came
to the conclusion that I was simply wasting air. I
returned to the boat.
Marty swam over the expanse of sand and
began fanning the bottom. As Olive watched, he
fanned away about a foot of sand and found a
fresh-dead S. hawaiensis - so fresh that some
of the animal was still inside. He showed it to
Olive, who used up the rest of her tank
enveloped in a cloud of sand!
Back in the boat, Marty and I completed a
deal transferring to me ownership of the largest
S. hawaiensis I have ever seen. Olive was slow
getting out of the water or she might have outbid
me.
Hurrying home, we measured the trophy,
which came to 106mm. Van Nostrand's Standard Catalog of Shells lists Cli~f Weaver's
10Omm. specimen as the world record. That
made my prize look pretty good. Discussing the
find with Dr. C. M. Burgess, however, I was
told that some giants have been found near
Midway island. There seemsto be no record of
their actual size.
For reasons that I feel are easily understandable, I am anxious to hear from HSN readers
who may know if anyone has a S. hawaiensis
bigger than 106mm.
A.M. U. Annual Meeting
The Event: 39th annual meeting of the American Malacological Union.
The Date: June 25 thru 28, 1973
The Place: Spacious new air-conditioned center
at the University of Delaware, Newark.
Accommodations: Modern dorms, at about
$7.50 per person per night.
The Program: Papers, discussions, displays. A
day will be spent at the nearby Delaware
Museum of Natural History, and another will
include a field trip to the marine lab and the
seashore.
For Information: AMU, c/o Marion Hubbard,
3957 Marlow Court, Seaford. N.Y. 11783
Page 7
SHELLS FOR SALE
.c;;)()C>()C>()C)()c:>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C>()C)(
RICHARD M. KURZ, INC.
Volute fanciers may be interested in an offer
from Mr. H. Nurmohamed,P. O. Box 90433,
Mombasa, Kenya, to sell a "perfect" Lyris
lyraeformis Swainson, 1821, found alive on the
Kenya Coast in December 1972. The animal
has been preserved.
*
*
*
A Honolulu resident, C. H. Chen, has two
Golden Cowries for sale. They were collected in
the British Solomon Islands about a decade ago.
Mr. Chen states they are about five inches and
four and a half inches long, respectively. Phone
him at 536-8881.
* * *
Florian E. Gabriel, c/o Mai Kai, 3599 North
FederalHighway, Fort Lauderdale,Fla. is anxious to securea specimenof Murex alabaster
and other Pacific shells.If you have one to sell
or trade write him directly.
* * *
It's not really an offer to exchange shells, but
we can't resist printing this request for information from Mrs. Laura M. Bauer, P. o. Box 894,
League City, Texas 77573. "Can you tell me
where I may purchase PleurotomBria,"
she
asks. "Wholesale, for resale."
* * *
Collectors interested in deep-water North
Pacific shells may want to write to Norman
Nault, Box 1524, Kodiak, Alaska 99615 to
learn what he has in his basement. Mr. Nault
operates a trawler out of Kodiak, but isn't a
shell collector himself.
* * *
Mrs. Susan Napper, P. O. Box 41380,
Nairobi, Kenya, who describesherselfasjust a
novice, would like to exchangeshellswith like
minded beginnerselsewhere.Sheinvites correspondence.
Navy Chief Ken Oyler, stationed at Cubi
Point, in the Philippines, would like to exchange
Indo-Pacific shells for world-wide specimens.
His primary interest is Cypraea, Conus,
Murex, Oliva and Voluta. His address is FA W1, Det Box 54, FPO S.F. 96654.
Mr. F. V. Descroizilles,22 C, Rue Anderson,
Cttrepipe, Mauritius wants a perfect Conus
bengalensis, four inchesor up, and a perfect
Cypraeaaurantium, four inchesor up. He has
for exchange Cypraea cribellum, C. esontropia, Conus janus, C. barthelemyi, Harpa
costata,Lambis violacea, and an "exceedingly
rare" Cypraea onyx nymphae.
1575 NO. 118 ST.
WAUWATOSA, WIS. 53226 U.S.A.
Dealer in Fine & Rare Specimen
Shells of Superior Quality
Shells Bought, Sold & Traded
WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LISTS
HOUSE OF QUALITY & SERVICE
.b()<::)<)C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)()C:)(~
OSTINI
Box 167
MASSAWA (Ethiopia)
Offer you from Dahlak:
SPECIMEN SHELLS
LIVE RED SEA FISHES
WCAL HANDICRAFTS
DRIED AND EMBALMED
SEA ARTICLES
AUSTRALIA'S FRIENDLY SHELL
DEALER
OLAF CHRISTENSEN
405 Bay St., Nth. Brighton, Victoria, 3186.
Australia
Handlesonly the highestquality in Shell. Write
for current prices of your favorite Families.
Dealer for ..Australian Shells" beautiful new
book by B. R. Wilson & K. Gillett. 10 percent
discount for HMS memberson your order of
this book.
QUALITY CYPRAEA COLLECTION
FOR SALE
260 speciesand sub-species
including C. nivosa,
teuleri, sursntium, rsbsulensis, msuiensis,
contrsris, szures, contsminsts. Write for free
list GEOFF HARVEY, BOX 296, P.O.,
MADANG, PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
Back Issues
~~
-HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
to January 1960
available from the CorrespondingSecretary,
Hawaiian Malacological Society, 2777 Kala,
kaua Avenue, Honolulu 96815.
Prices vary, so write explaining your needs.
Annual tables of contents, in lieu of complete indices, $1 per year. 1972 now available.
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
Page 8
March,1973
CUSTOMS PROBLEMS
Shell traders know that it is not possible to
insure valuable parcels mailed to many foreign
countries. Consequently they insist usually on
registering any package which contains expensive or irreplaceable specimens.
It may be necessary.however, to state the true
value on a customs declaration. Normally, I or the postal clerk - will add "NCV" or "No
A QUESTION OF IDENTITY
The above Chicoreus 8p. is an Wlidentified
Murex collected in 1972 at Guadalcanal by
HMS member Ted Bryant.
The shells are from 3/4to 1 inch long, elongate
fusiform. They are typically triplex form with
three varices per whorl, ornamented with rather
short open, frondose processestipped with pink.
Body with two axially elongated nodes between
varices and crossed by fine granulose spiral
cords. Body color white, alternately banded
with black and rose pink. Shoulders roWlded,
sutures distinct and impressed, aperture ovate,
white. Columella white, edged with yelloworange with four denticles posteriorly, and faint,
nearly obsolete denticles sparsely arranged
along the columella. Outer lip with paired denticles. Canal nearly straight, almost closed.
If anyone can supply a name for this species,
we would be interested in having it, along with
additional information on range, depth, etc.
Murex barc/ay; Follow-up
by BOB MORRISON
The article by Elmer Leehman on the Murex
outward from the plane of the large varix about
barclay; identity problem (HSN Jan. 1973)
3mm.
was of particular interest to me becausethe shell
Dr. Barry Wilson in his Australian Shells
figured - the Bay of Bengal specimen - is in
(page 83' notes a tooth on the outer lip and a
my Morrison Galleries in Sarasota, Fla. Since it
is one of the very few specimens that can be
examined closely, I venture to report tiOmeof the
data.
The actual shell color is considerably lighter
than the HSN photo suggested.The protoconch
and the first four whorls are whitish pink. Ovfr
all, the body whorl is a mix of cream, tan, brown
and rust.
The specimen measured 91.2mm. in length,
37.1mm at the widest point across the aperture,
and 31.9mm deep. The aperture side of each
varix is glossy as is the aperture side of the
anterior canal.
The third last varix (180 degrees from the
aperture I is double, indicating an WlUSUaistopstart-stop-start growth. These two varices are
separated by about 3mm. This condition does
not appear on any of the other varices.
The aperture is pure glossy "china" white, reflected in the parietal wall. The outer lip extends
weak nodule on the parietal wall. These two features are so situated in relation to each other as
to form a distinct notch in the posterior end of
the aperture. This feature, shown clearly in the
HSN photo, seems to be characteristic of all
forms of M. barclay;.
The notch is an inverted "U" approximately
2mm wide and 2mm deep on my specimen.
Two additional observations may be significant:
1. The aperture is almost centrally situated
longitudinally, being only slightly closer to the
posterior end.
2. The longitudinal depth of the aperture is
just slightly more than 25 per cent of the total
shell length.
The operculum appears to be typical of many
members of Muricidae. It has two lateral muscle
attachment areas and the nucleus is centrally
located. It is about 2mm smaller in all dimensions than the aperture.
Commercial Value."
During the past ten years the writer has sent
parcels of shells to virtually every country without problems. Many were registered, with the
value clearly written on the label. Recently I
concluded a swap with a new friend in Israel,
involving some very expensive shells. I sent my
parcels registered, as usual. The value of $300
was noted when it was posted, along with the
usual NCV.
When the parcel arrived in Israel, customs
officials demanded $30 duty from my friend.
When he rightly refused to pay this assessment,
the parcel was ordered returned to Hawaii.
Compounding the injustice, it appears that
the return is by surface mail, depriving my
Israeli contact of his shells for many weeks at
best and leaving me in doubt as to the fate of my
exchange.
Naturally, I am reluctant to send such a
valuable package again without at least registration, which provides a signature on delivery
and assures special postal handling.
Possibly some of our HMS members in Israel
can secure an authoritative explanation of their
customs regulations and policies, which seem to
be at variance from those of other countries.
Elmer G. Leehman
Down with Varnish!
Active collectors and exchangers occasionally
are distressed to receive a specimen which has
been coated with lacquer or varnish. Unfortunately, this practice seems to be on the increase.
A false coating of any sort makes a specimen
virtually worthless to a serious collector, since
the natural appearance has been altered. The
treatment is immediately evident to anyone
experienced with shells.
It 's a destructive practice. If you use a coating, stop.
SHELLS FOR SALE
HAWAIIAN SHELL NEWS
March,1973
1
I
Vexillum pacificum
(Reeve, 1845)
1- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I
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Pusia tuberosa (Reeve,1845)
Supplement 2.73
Hawaii!
-!:h..?!.o
~~
-
Hawaii
..J
I
HAWAIIAN
March,1973
r'
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SHELL NEWS
Supplement 2-73
JAPAN
SPECIMEN SHELLS WANTED
I can use all the varieties from worldwide,
both sea and land, from common to rare. Offer
best prices with information on sizes, quality
and available quantities. Sho Yasuda, Box 30,
::~~~~;~~~~~~
OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA 93644 USA
WO,/J
UhJe anJ Rare S~etl
WIDE SELECTION OF WESTMEXICO,
PANAMA AND CALIFORNIA SHELLS
AUSTRALIA
Lance Moore Marine SpecimensPty., Ltd.
27 A George St., Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Free catalogue on request. All specimens cannot be listed, our stock too comprehensive. Ask
for your "wants".
Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.
WHEN IN LOS ANGELES, VISIT
Largest Stock of Shell Booksin the World I
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'tr SELL
BUY
*EXCHANGE
FREE SHELL, BOOK AND ACCESSORY
rATAI
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~FOIIF,T
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l
LE PEIGNE DE VENUS
14 Av. Joseph-Etienne
13007 Marseille 52 19 31
NEW INTERNATIONAL
QUOTATION
CATALOGUE 3RD EDITION
Commercial price scale for all Cypraea,
Conus, Voluta, Murex, Strombus, Lambis,
Pleurotomaria,
Olives, and many others,
based on international trading.
A list of 120 worldwide sea shell books
In francs and U.S. $
Special list for Red Sea, La Reunion, New
Caledonia, and Mediterranean Fauna.
$3.50 plus $1 sea postage ($2 air mail!
Yeppoon Shell Museum
R.T. & D.A. Brown
Box 74, Yeppoon, Q., Australia
The largest dealers of Specimen Shells in
Australia. Fine and rare specimens bought and
sold. Will exchange for rare shells. Prices to suit
all pockets. On hand at present, choice shells
from New Guinea, Australia, Philippines and
Africa. Write for free Price List.
4i###########################################~
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o1'aradise
&Bells
WORLDWIDE
SHELLS OF
~PECIMEN QUALITY
- Hawaiian SpecialtyWE BUY, SELL
AND TRADE
WANT LISTS INVITED
2126 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu HI 96815
~
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FLORIDA ...t
The Friendly Dealer
~
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HAWAII
Shells of the Seas,Inc.
Write
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te1ep one
305-524-3128
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F"T.
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SPECIMEN SHELLS
BOUGHT & 50LD
Ea,h Spe,imen Campiele
Wilh A"",ate
La,alian
DOlO",
FLA.
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LAUCERDALE.
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WORLD-WIDE
SPECIMEN SHELLS
Write for free list or visit our shop on Siesta
Key. We alsostockshellbooksand antiqueshell
prints.
The Morrison Galleries
5101 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota, Fla. 33581
SOURCE FOR RED SEA SPECIMEN
AND COMMERCIAL SHELLS
DOV PELED
Hazalafim 6, Haifa, 34-739, Israel
Buys, sellsand exchangesshells.Price list on
request.
This photo of a "mystery cone" was sent to
HSN by Mrs. T. B. Condie of Gympie, Queensland. She states that this cone was trawled in
Moreton Bay, Queensland, at 100 fathoms. The
shell is 71/2" long, was trawled dead but is in
good condition. Cart anyone help identify this
shell?
FINE SHELLS AND FINE ART
We do not publish a list but we will answer
specific requestsfor Rare Shells - our specialty.
Shell-of-Showwinnerscomefrom the TIDE.
POOL!
22762 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu. California 90265
WEST COAST CURIO CO.
1940 Maple Avenue
Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627
"13 Miles South of Disneyland" wngest
Established Shell Dealer on Pacific Coast. More
than 2,000 Species stocked regularly. Buy or
Browse, you're always welcome! COME IN
AND SEE US.
FORMOSA SHELLS
CHU-SHAN CHIANG
P..0.. Box 332, Tainan, Taiwan (Formosal
Wholesale & Retail, Fine and Rare Seashells.
Write for Free Price List..
OahuObservations
Hardly anybody really loves an Amalthea
caRica. Who hasn't surfaced with what looks
like a fine specimen shell, only to find that this
little Hipponycidae has ruined the spire? I have
a fine Cypraea maculifera whose dorsum has
been scarred by the pit marks of this rascal,
which probably represents an extreme case.
There is another creature, however, who takes
a different view of this commensal relationship.
That's the nondescript little Drupa granulata.
When he spots A. caRica, he ties on his bib,
sharpens his radula, and drills a neat little hole
on the anterior lip of the hoof shell. Voila,
dinner is served!
Bob Purtyman