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!