Shell collecting has recently become immensely popular. Many people collect shells while on holiday or buy a shell from a seaside shop as a souvenir, and then, from these small beginnings, go on to build up interesting and valuable collections. The majority of shell shops put only the country of origin and common name on the shells that they sell, and there is usually a complete lack of background information about the molluscs and their shells which are often beautifully colored, patterned and delicately formed. It is to provide this information in an easily understood way that Alan Major has written this book which describes the majority of shells which are likely to be available in shell shops. In layman’s language he explains how to collect, clean and house a collection, and gives details of the simple equipment required. What a shell is comprised of and the anatomy of the mollusc that creates it is also described. The book will be of value to the serious conchologist and student of shells, in America and Europe. Over 300 species of shells are precisely described, giving their origin, the type of habitat preferred, the zone of the shore level where the mollusc occurs, shell details, colors and size and also introductory information about each shell group or family.
For those just starting a collection and also for the thousands of dedicated conchologists already existing, this book will make absorbing reading.