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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.
They were almost ready to return to shore when Frank spotted a coral head that, he thought, might produce live cowries. Also
this would be a new search technique to teach Dennis. While on the surface between trips to the bottom, Frank was giving a
running description on what to look for in the way of shells and their probable location within the coral head. One
particularly large piece of the coral formation broke off and Frank almost gulped a mouthful of ocean water down his snorkel.
Sitting at the base of the coral branch was an absolutely huge and perfect specimen of Cypraea vitellus. At least that is
what it appeared to be.
The shell was much darker brown than most other vitellus and the base, instead of being whitish or light tan color, was
mauve. The shell proved to be 84 mm in length (about 3.5 inches), 55 mm wide, and 40 mm high (see shell figured above).
Almost immediately after collecting the shell Frank attended a New Year's party. Since there were several shell collectors at
the party the newly found shell went along. It was agreed by all present that finding so beautiful a specimen of Cypraea
vitellus was an excellent way to end the old year and bring in the new.
It seems you never know what will happen when you take a neophyte shell collector to the beach to teach him how to look for
shells. This shell story also points out what we have all known for years, "New HMS members are more likely to find rare
shells than the old timers." Frank had been a member of the HMS a total of 55 days when he found his "shell of shells."
The reader will note, from the above story, that although Cypraea vitellus is a common shell in other parts of the Pacific
Ocean, it is rather rare in Philippines. It also may grow larger in our Islands than in any other area!
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