For the record, I never intended my question about the "best sheller" to
turn into a popularity contest. I just meant, What kind of character,
attitude, and experience should a person develop to become the best sheller
that he or she can be? I liked Helmut Nisters' answer, though I would add
that the best sheller is also modest.  :-)
 
Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama
 
P.S. Anyway, it's obvious that Lamarck beats Linnaeus as a malacologist!