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The shells were kept in a marine aquarium and observed for a few weeks following the dive. A number of interesting things
were learned about them. They eagerly ate filamentous algae and had a peculiar rocking motion with which they buried
themselves in the sand without leaving a trace. Of course, they moved by the usual Strombus method of levering themselves
along on their operculum, but also had the ability to crawl along on their foot like a conventional mollusk. They were very
animated in the use of their eyes. Every advance from the retracted position inside the shell was proceeded by the eyes
peeking around the lip to see if it was safe to appear. No distinct siphon is displayed by the mollusk. Rather the mantle is
folded within the siphonal canal and performs the task of inhaling fresh oxygen laden water.
News of the finds traveled like wildfire among local members and many came to observe and photograph the shells. At the
November meeting of HMS the two Strombs were placed on display in a small aquarium.. They caused quite a sensation, to say
the least!
In our three months of wandering along this coast I found alive only (1) Cypraea helvola, and (1) Epitonium coronatum,
several dozen of the common Nerita (3 varieties), several small Turbo coronatus, several Trochus nigropunctatus, (1) Conus
minimus, several Barbatia alfredinus, several dozen Kroussina rubra and dozens of Janthina. Not a great many mollusks for one
day, and very disappointing for three months search. However, I found many Cypraea in good condition and the best
beach-specimens of Voluta africana I have yet come across. This last is valued even as beach specimens as they are impossible
to find unless taken from the stomachs of trawled fish. The few good specimens in museums were obtained from that source.
I have made contact with a trader and have since received two boxes of beach Cypraea. These are still glossy but many have a
minute puncture showing that the mollusk had been killed by another predatory creature. I have about half a dozen Cypraea
marginalis which I found at Bashee River mouth. These are rare and I have already parted with two. This is dead material.
The Pondoland coast, between the Transkei and Natal, has been explored with better results by the Natal conchologists, but
even this is now Bantu territory and access will not be as easy as formerly. These two coastal areas constitute the most
delightful climatic regions in the winter months. They enjoy a certain amount of rain all the year from the south-east trade
winds, but the wind is stronger in summer and their rainy season is therefore spoken of as a summer one. Their winters are
very mild.
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