|
|
Lambis troncata
The discovery and acquisition of these shells by van Eck was in the latter months of 1964, and they are still in his
possession at date of writing.
Joyce Allen, in Cowry Shells of World Seas says -
"Like all rare shells, it is difficult to ascertain how many there really are in world collections. In the past, the same one
was sold again and again, so appeared periodically in different collections. It is assumed now that there are certainly less
than a dozen specimens known, the majority of which will be in Museum collections."
Before the discovery of the Conus gloriamaris in Rabaul, there were 25 known in world collections. During the following
twelve months, Rabaul and other adjacent areas extended the total to at least 38. Now that the accent is on rare Cypraea, it
is possible that the known C. guttata will be doubled in the next twelve months!!!
The collecting area to be discussed this month is basically a tourist area just a few minutes drive from Waikiki. But it is
also an area that has produced, and still does produce, some excellent shelling, both for the reef crawler and the skin and
SCUBA diver. The tremendously varied underwater geological formations provide for an equally varied assortment of shell life.
The shallow fringing reef that extends from Black Point to Kawaihoa Point on the tip of Koko Head affords an easily
accessible area for the collector who likes to use the look-box or mask, fins, and snorkel. This area is usually quiet, being
well inside the breakers (except in Kona weather) Trade winds are mostly blocked by Koko Head, further restricting the wave
action.
There are few tidal currents but a collector must be alert for the possibility of out-rushing water in the deep water between
reef sections called sand channels. Water washed up onto the reef by waves flows back into deep water through these channels
thus preventing the growth of coral. In a beach area a similar current might be referred to as a rip tide. They can be
hazardous in that they wash the swimmer out into deep water but need not be dangerous. Swim across the current until into the
water flowing toward shore. Swim with the shoreward-traveling water until back in a shelling area.
Another reef area is just inshore of Manana Island, known locally as Rabbit Island. The inshore side of this reef is quite
free of waves and strong currents. However, the seaward side is sometimes affected by rather strong and potentially hazardous
currents.
Waimanalo Bay is suitable for skin diving in light to moderate trade wind weather. It does become quite rough, and is
frequently murky, during strong trades. Shells are often found washed up on the sandy beach area just North of Makapuu Point.
This is also a favorite body surfing and swimming spot. There are restroom facilities and beach showers available here.
Most of the remaining area discussed in this month's map is more suitable for SCUBA diving, preferably from a boat. Some
hardy divers swim out from Haunama Bay and Blow Hole to collect from 30 to 60 feet of water. This can be dangerous because of
the strong currents that frequently flow along this shore, sometimes reaching a velocity of 3 knots.
As for the small and tiny cowries, the main collecting area is on the reefs near the outer edge of the lagoon near the open
sea. At low tides a long stretch of reef falls dry (dry water, the locals call it) and it is possible to walk there without
getting wet feet. Plenty of stones are scattered around, under which many kinds of cowries have been found, as well as a
variety of other shells. The first cowries discovered here were labrolineata, kieneri and rhinoceros, but gradually
staphylaea, felina, helvola and asellus came to light. Further exploration revealed the tiny minoridens and an odd fimbriata,
both very difficult to find as they are so small and well camouflaged and the very attractive cribraria, which the kids
christened "madai." Some rather small "madai" turned up which appeared to be somewhat different from the other cribraria, and
experts have identified them now as being catholicorum. They are quite rare, as one may find just one among some 15-20
cribraria, which by no means are common either. Some nucleus, a couple of teres and an old punctata (very small) were also
found in this general area on the edge of the lagoon. And this year in August, a kid of about 10 year[s old] started to smash
soft coral heads, and discovered poraria with a very dark base.
A second collecting area which has been completely overlooked until recently is a small bay, almost wholly surrounded by
hills, and partly cut off from the sea by a little natural island. Even when the wind sweeps through the lagoon and the sea
gets rough, the little bay remains quiet and peaceful. The greatest depth at low tides is only a few feet, one fathom at the
most. I used to get the ecological variety of coxeni (long and slender, without swollen margins) from South Malaita, but when
the weather got somewhat rough in August, people started to investigate the little bay, and came up with a fair number of the
Malaita variety of coxeni. And in company of coxeni, they found also rather large punctata and some microdon granum, in a
proportion of just one each for 10 - 15 coxeni. Incidentally, the three last species seem to prefer very quiet water, and it
would appear that they mainly feed on weeds which are plentiful in the little bay. Some coxeni have a greenish coloring,
especially when the animal is still in it.
lambis troncata,fashion,cyprea moneta,white rose,shell anklets,sheashells,oliva,clams raw,white abalone,lambis troncata
Lambis troncata mop conus stratus distrosioanus shark tooth capis raw fasciolaria white rose heishi hair accessories clams raw white clam raw shells hipopos white clam tuna fasciolata capis shell puka shell jewelry conus literatus varian.
lambis troncata
Shell
Bracelets
|
