At 07:58 PM 8/4/99 -0400, you wrote:

James,

>Dear Paul,
>Ed Schelling told me that a lot of the
>reef in New Hebrides was being killed off by the
>rising temperature of the islands volcanic activity,

You obviously have newer information than I do.

I didn't realize that there was recent volcanic activity in the New Hebrides!

>eradicating Oliva rubrolabiata in the process.
 I have been
>waiting for someone to confirm this. I didn't really notice that prices
>were

Just bought one last week, the one from Banks Island.  I seem to recall
that you are fairly new to conchology, so when I talk about prices falling,
I am talking over the last 10-15 years.  Back then you couldn't touch an
Oliva rubrolabiata (typical) for less than $50, while today I see them for
$35 - $40.  When the Banks Island stuff hit the market a few years ago, it
was terribly expensive (up to $100), while I bought mine for $40 last week
(couldn't resist any more).  May Ed or Paul would want to
correct/substantiate me.

>getting lower. I ought to research Oliva Conus Voluta zelindae; it sounds
>very interesting!!

If you happen to have a copy of the "Compendium of Seashells" by Tucker and
Abbott (the 1982 version), a picture of "Oliva" zelindae Petuch, 1979 is on
page 192.  I know that Petuch had some doubts about its placement in
Olividae at the time he described it!
>
>Kind Regards,
>James
>

Paul