I agree, Mark. I always think of shells by their common names. When
     people on the list refer to the latin names I get lost. Mention a
     cone, scallop, or murex and I know just what you're talking about.
     Maybe we could all agree to use both common and latin names.
     Sue in Denver
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: common names , we need them.
Author:  Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]> at INET
Date:    4/28/98 9:41 PM
 
 
Common shell names, Might we remember that common names serve many purposes.
When we started out on this folly many of us learned about shells from their
common names, lettered cone, the name fits as it does look like Chinese
writing. Common names also help by giving easy names to shells so beginners
can easily identify them . how many times have you stood there on the beach
and someone asks what is that in your hand . if you use a Latin name they
look at you as if your some biologist and they lose interest. but by using a
common name you can see how they associate and maybe at that point we have
recruited yet one more into the army of shelters. i believe that if it take
using common names to get beginners interested then so be it. When trying to
find common names for shells it help to convert the Latin to English ,
conus magus - magic cone,
mark