The book on South African shells by Steyn & Lussi has now been released. It certainly is based mainly on beach-collected material but the authors have succeeded in most cases in finding very acceptable specimens for their illustrations. Thumbnail map, text on left hand page, photos on the right hand page. Text is descriptive of shell, very little additional biological information presented. It is my understanding that Dr Kilburn has gone through the draft. If so, then the IDs' will be modern and reliable. I understand that a local book store chain has bought most of the print run so at present I am not able to advise how best to buy one from outside of S.A. As far as South African cones are concerned, there is no recent book or journal article that covers the whole subject.(Both the Steyn & Lussi book, and the wonderful Kilburn & Rippey book deal only with the shallow water spevcies) However, the newsletter of the Conchological Society of Southern Africa ran some interesting review articles on the subject a few years ago. These are illustrated in colour and still available from the Society at a nominal charge. Please contact me off-list for details. --------------------------------------- Mike Cortie Conch Soc of SA, South Africa phone RSA-11-709-4485 email [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------