Is this a reference book that you would recommend to someone just starting out in
this field of study.  I'm trying to expand what few books I have and would welcome
any input in this matter! I do know that American Seashells by R. Tucker Abbot
1974 is a must, but have yet to be able to locate a copy other than the 1954
release.

David Kirsh wrote:

> Marlo,
> As a psychiatric nurse, I can reassure you that "It's all right," we shell
> collectors all have some Obsessive-Compulsive traits. Otherwise, we wouldn't
> be shell collectors.
>
> There is now hope because there's medication that can help reduce the
> behaviors manifested in OC Disorder. But a good therapeutic treatment plan
> includes group therapy. Coping Skills group via this listserv starts at
> 1:30am sharp since this gives me a break after my second shift job at the
> state hospital.
>
> By the way, my rates are going up since I like counting the little green
> leafy papers over and over and over. WHEN did you say you wanted your room
> unlocked and strait jacket untied?
> **********
> I just got the Bahamian Seashells book by Colin Redfern today and it looks
> splendid. It's got to be the best up-to-date book on the vicinity of
> Florida/Bahamas. Very clearly organized, obviously a lot of work went into
> this. It would have been helpful to have known ranges included. I'm
> wondering what our Florida/West Atlantic experts will say. What quibbles are
> there? In the explanation for Plate 18, shell 157A, it looks like a line of
> text was dropped. Ummmm...that's my obsessive editing trait coming out.
>
> David Kirsh
> Durham, NC
>
> > From: Marlo Krisberg <[log in to unmask]>
> > Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> > Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 18:20:04 -0500
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Numbering
> >
> > Here's my numbering and storage system and how I keep it current.  Every
> > shell is bar coded and stored in vacuum sealed packets with complete data.
> > All shells are tripled.  One is stored in a vault.  One in the
> > workroom/shell room with the third, which is "open packed" for examination.
> > The bar coded data slips are readable via an electronic wan which is plugged
> > into a computer which displays current taxonomic data and produces a
> > self-adhesive, replacement data slip if required (see below).  The bar code
> > cross references to a central philogeneticlly ordered catalog, a "collected
> > location" data base, a "chronologically acquired" data base, a
> > self-collected data base, a trade data base, a dealer data base, a gift data
> > base, and my favorite recipes.  Each data base is stored both electronic and
> > hard copy (hand-written.  That's how my progeny earn their yearly IRA
> > contributions).  Electronic copies are duplicated each night to a resident
> > server, a high density storage medium which is disconnected when not in use
> > and stored in a water proof, two-hour fire resistant safe with a built in
> > beeper for easy location in the event it is washed away by flood, tornado or
> > hurricane (all of which we've had here in the past year), and a remote
> > server in a rural western America bomb shelter.  All the data bases can be
> > accessed by a relational Boolean-chaos search program that will convert
> > readouts to four languages in addition to English.  They are all linked to a
> > master philogenetic/taxonomy list of every Gastropoda and Pelecypoda ever
> > described in the literature (except Petuch's Olive book - there wasn't
> > room).  Each entry in the master list is cross-linked to prior and related
> > names so that a search by any name will produce a readout of the current
> > name under which shells in the workroom/shell room are filed.  A change in
> > the master list (updated monthly) will change all the data bases and produce
> > new data slips for all shells upon request.  No, the vaulted specimens are
> > not relabeled. That would be done only in the event a vaulted specimen was
> > accessed.  The workroom/shell room specimens are stored in a
> > computer-controlled, light-tight, environmentally controlled, automated
> > retrieval system (only the repairperson is allowed inside - in order to cut
> > costs she also babysits, cooks, cleans and drives the car, but she doesn't
> > do windows).  Shells can be retrieved by querying the relational
> > Boolean-chaos search program by names, locale, source, etc.  When the
> > "retrieve" button is pressed the system will retrieve the drawer with the
> > shell and if any name changes or other data changes have occurred since the
> > specimen was last retrieved, an updated data sheet is delivered from the
> > retrieval system printer along with the storage drawer.
> >
> > If anyone is interested in a similar system (master list and all relational
> > databases included), I can install one for you for $4.95 plus travel
> > expenses (add 6% sales tax if you live in Florida).  You'll have to find
> > your own repair person.  You just have to get the nurse to unlock my room
> > and unsnap my straight jacket.
> >
> > Marlo
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> > Behalf Of Linda Bush
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 11:33 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Numbering
> >
> >
> > Hi, Conch-Lers!
> >
> > I guess I'll get in on the numbering discussion.   To me, it seems to be
> > logical to simply enter a shell in numerical order.
> > BUT, then I put a code in the other corner of my card.    With a
> > combination of letters and numbrs, I put a code which indicates, in this
> > order - species, country where found, the lot
> > number  from this locality (again, in numerical order), and the
> > number of shells in the lot.   I keep a separate card system for
> > each family, but at this point, only my Pectens are completely
> > done.   I then have a list of species organized alphabetically by the first
> > unit in the code, i.e. the species abbreviation.    Then I indicate the main
> > number of the card.   This allows me to get
> > a quick overview of what I have and where to find the card.    Also, I leave
> > spaces between each entry, so that if the species
> > name is changed, I cannot only move the entry but go to the card and change
> > the name of the species and/or the genus.
> >
> > Complicated?   It works for me.    I also have a written explanation of the
> > code, so that if anything happens to me, another person can decipher it.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Linda