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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.
To date, little more than what has been discussed, has been completed to bring this rare stromb into reality. Not all dives
are exclusively for the strombs and much time is consumed when searching in the sand. A number of methods remain to be tried
but, undoubtedly the coming months will allow completion of these plans, maybe even to success.
A number of interesting things occurred on these dives and frequently other shells were encountered. Those which were needed
were collected, the others were just observed and then passed over. An abundance of juvenile Conus species provided much
delight, the most treasured of which is a tiny Conus imperialis three-eighths of an inch long! One deep station produced a
huge colony of Mitra newcombii. Population density was at least twenty per square foot over an area several hundred feet in
length. Several large, black Oliva sandwicensis were the reward one windy and rough day. Humor was not lacking either, with
repeated contacts with fishes and other life. The startled sand-dwelling fishes were the funniest, one of which continued to
"bury" himself in his favorite spot in spite of the fact that every speck of sand had been swept away by fanning! Perhaps
continued searching will produce the desirable Strombus hawaiensis, perhaps not. This is one of the intrigues of the shelling
hobby. One thing is certain, however. This sheller will continue to hunt as long as he is able. Someday a sequel to this
article may be required; the one in which the discovery of several strombs will be reported!
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