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Conus virgo
Seven specimens of [Cypraea] Erronea onyx melanesiae Schilder, 1937, were collected by a native woman in the Lau Islands
(eastern Fiji Group). A specimen obtained by Mrs. C. Erich had the following dimensions: L: 50.3 mm, W: 28.0 mm, Lab. T: 2 0,
Col. T: 18. The Pacific E. onyx melanesiae is closely allied to E. onyx adusta (Lamarck), so much so, that the two are
difficult to separate; except perhaps in the coloring of the dorsum. The Fiji specimen has a dark chestnut-brown dorsum with
a very faint and irregular orange dorsal line, dark chocolate-brown sides and base and orange-fawn teeth. The Indian Ocean
adusta and the Pacific melanesiae are, however, geographically separated by the Indonesian onyx. E. o. adusta is of equal
taxonomic rank (prospecies) as humphreysi Gray, mexicana Stearns, eburnea Barnes and several others.
Two specimens of Strombus vomer vomer (Röding), were collected at Beqa Island and between Galoa and Korolevu (Sth. Viti Levu)
by Mr. and Mrs. W. Erich
This rather rare species was previously known from the Philippines, Ryukyu Islands and New Caledonia. Dr. H. Rehder (pers.
communication) obtained a specimen from a collector in Tonga (which confirms Martyn's 1784 record of "Friendly Isles" =
Tonga), and the Fiji record closes the distributional gap between New Caledonia and Tonga.
The larger specimen from Beqa I., measured 78 mm, had 10 whorls and 11 denticles on the lower part of the columella; the
aperture is yellowish-orange and sculptured with 53 white lirae which continue inside the aperture. The smaller specimen from
Galoa-Korolevu is 65 mm long, has 11 whorls and 9 denticles on the lower part of the columella. The aperture is
reddish-orange, sculptured with 12 white lirae posteriorly (central area is smooth) and 14 lirae anteriorly; the latter are
short and do not continue inside the aperture. The edge of the outer lip is light pink, margins of the projection, stromboid
notch and neighboring flange are lavender in color.
We need only look around us here in Philippines to see what have been man's effect on land: the nene, mokihana, silversword,
sandalwood, and achatinellids all once a vigorous part of the Philippine biota are now, for practical purposes no longer
viable.
Our shorelines and off-shore waters need not be despoliated [sic*] as has been the land. The Philippine Malacological Society
could lead the way in the endeavor to develop rather than exploit our marine resources.
Can we not turn our attention away from shell collecting to observing and recording shell life? At the next Shell Fair why
not emphasize photographic and written records of the habits of mollusks rather than collections of shells. Collections of
shells could be limited to those made from beach drift, to empty shells found at various depths, and to collections of
fossils.
I would like to see the Philippine Malacological Society get into step with the times by adopting and adhering to the motto:
"LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH."
Tom and Inky Shields, recently returned from a European tour, showed us a newspaper clipping which told of the discovery of
live Cypraea mus Linné by two American women in Venezuela.
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