"I agree that the exhibits at some of the Shell Shows are absolutely
excellent.    Dr. R. Tucker Abbott said the most knowledgeable people
 in shells are those who are in the shell clubs because they spend a
lot of time "on the field".   They usually know more about the habitat
and behavior of mollusks than any one else.   Tucker consistently spent
time "picking the brains" of the collectors in our clubs!"

I've heard botanists comment along similar lines about the little-old
lady gardeners.

Let's hear it for the, whaddaya call 'em, autodidacts.