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It is hard to pinpoint just how the author was introduced to the Philippine Strombus, but at some time or another the fact
that this fabulous shell existed became a topic of everyday conversation. A great deal of data-gathering preceded the actual
search for this stromb with SCUBA. Because of this, the very first search produced immediate results! The sources of data
were varied, the Philippine Shell News, Philippine Marine Mollusks, etc., but the most valuable information was obtained by
listening to other collectors. For example, frequent mention was made of complete shells (dead) and fragments being found at
certain North Shore beaches. Some divers were overheard discussing an area off of Waikiki. All of this information was noted
and sorted through, to realize maximum usefulness.
It was at the Waikiki location that the first Strombus hawaiensis "sign" was encountered. On a bottom of sand and coral, in
about 40 feet of water, a collection of fragments was found, which, when assembled, formed almost a complete shell. This
juvenile specimen had probably fallen victim to a predatory crab. At this location the bottom was essentially flat, hard
coral, covered with about 4 inches of sand with some coral rubble. No further opportunity was afforded to re-visit the area
and many months passed before further evidence of the Philippine stromb was encountered.
One of the most interesting thoughts about the fossil shells of Philippines is their age. They probably date far back into
the Pleistocene epoch of time. Some of the fossil shells, particularly those found deep, or far down, in the fossil bearing
material, may date as far back as 500,000 to 1.000,000 years or to the beginning of the Pleistocene era.
Remembering that the Pleistocene era was also the era of ice ages, it isn't too hard to visualize why marine shells are found
as much as 200 feet above present sea levels. During periods of glaciation, when ice covered perhaps 28% of the land areas of
the earth, sea level dropped as much as 300 feet below present levels. Conversely, during interglacial periods, the sea rose
as much as 150 to 200 feet above present levels. Professor Ostergaard reported finding fossil marine shells 213 feet above
sea level on the island of Maui. However, this does not mean that sea level necessarily existed at this elevation for the
land may have risen some as a result of earth movement related to earthquake and volcanic activity.
In any event, whether you want to collect fossil shells so you can hold a little of the ancient past in your hands, or
because you want to have all of Philippines's shells in your collection, try having a family collecting day when everyone
looks for, and finds, fossil shells. It's fun for everyone. If the weather is good, I'll see you along the Nanakuli Sea
Cliffs on Sunday, April 11, 1965.
Aloha!
"Would like to thank the Society for the prize of two Cypraea granulata Pease which arrived in good order. Let's have more
surprises like this.
"I will be sending a recently collected specimen of Cypraea aurantium in soon for measuring and recording in the register. It
was taken in a cave 45 feet deep off the southern end of Guam, alive, and in the daytime by a diver using an aqua lung.
Subsequent dives in the same spot at night have so far produced no additional golden cowries, but have yielded fine specimens
of pink based Cypraea mappa, large Cypraea argus, tigris, carneola, and Turbo petholatus. Prospects are good for finding more
aurantium in the area if we persist. Will report any new finds."
A few weeks ago on our way down to Mazatlán, Mexico, we stopped in Guaymas the first night. The tide was out (in fact it was
the first time I saw a good low tide in Guaymas) so my daughter Annette went for a stroll down the beach, a short time later
she came back with 13 Conus virgatus Reeve and one Conus priceps Linnaeus.
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