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Lambis crocata
Before any positive conclusions could be drawn, a return visit to the area which produced the shells had to be made and
additional specimens would have to be observed. The first visit almost ended in disaster! In the excitement and speculation
of what may be on the bottom, I failed to notice that a very strong current was running, one of those little mistakes that
often lead to dire consequences. Before Betsy and I were five feet below the surface we were a hundred feet behind the boat!
We were fortunate to make it to the bottom and work back to the anchor by clawing our way across the coral. If forced to ride
the current out, our first possible point of leaving the water would have been Diamond Head, beyond that…?!! An ominous
reminder that we must never be careless with the sea. Several fine Mitra species were found on this dive but not a sign of
the Strombus hawaiensis could be seen.
However, the second dive on the following day produced the desired results. A third specimen was found seconds before the
expiration of allowable bottom time. This shell, again found by Betsy, was as much more perfect and beautiful than mine as
mine had been better than hers the week before. The specimen was well developed, being quite heavy and thick. Its coloration
was surely the finest attainable in the species. It was certainly the perfect shell. An interesting sidelight was the
discovery of a large piece of a Conus bullatus near the anchor line. Doubtlessly we had solved the mystery surrounding the
exotic Philippine Strombus as to its habitat. Population density, however, was still anyone's guess.
From Rabaul, New Guinea: A native collector wrote to us offering 136 live-collected Cypraea coxeni. From a different source
we received an offer of 200 coxeni. To further the evidence of "slaughter," an American collector passed through Honolulu
recently with over 175 specimens of New Guinea coxeni in his luggage to be used "for trading," so he said.
From Florida, U.S.A.: Fishermen trawlers just sold 230 live-collected Voluta junonia johnstonae and 203 specimens of Voluta
kieneri. The kieneri were all small (4" to 5") and the junonia were of "poor quality"!!!
These accounts barely touch on the world-wide destruction of molluscan fauna now taking place daily to supply the
ever-growing shell market.
Dealers and shell clubs alike should unite in a concerted conservation program before depletion of this nature puts them both
out of business.
Saturday, April 2, 1966 will be a day I will remember for a long time. This was the morning that I found a beautiful, perfect
2-1/2" specimen of Conus bullatus.
Diving buddies Mal Loring of the Hickam Sea Lancers, and Reg Grimm of the San Francisco Skin Divers, were with me at a depth
of 75 feet off Pokai Bay when I spotted what looked like a typical 2" wide Terebra maculata track in a small sand pocket
between coral clumps. The trail lead from the edge of a coral boulder out into the center of the sand patch, and ended. A
quick fanning action across the track's end uncovered a brilliant red cone. I didn't know what I had for sure but I knew it
was something special. When I showed it to Mal and Reg sand really began to fly as they searched for the mate to my shell.
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