Instant Guide To Seashells

An Instant Guide to Seashellsis an ideal compact identification guide to the most familiar shells found on the East, West, and Gulf coasts of North America. From clams to conches, from mussels to murexes, the easy-to-follow system of color-coded bands and symbols leads quickly to the correct section of the book. Detailed full-color illustrations of shells, plus a distribution map and concise informative text allow you to identify accurately the most familiar seashells of North America.

The most familiar species of North American seashells are described and illustrated in color.

"Descriptive accounts, distribution maps, and 265 color photographs describe 252 species of mollusk shells as beachcombers are likely to find them"--P. [4] of cover.

Guide to over 1,200 species of seashells from all around the world.

Who among us hasn’t marveled at the diversity and beauty of shells? Or picked one up, held it to our ear, and then gazed in wonder at its shape and hue? Many a lifelong shell collector has cut teeth (and toes) on the beaches of the Jersey Shore, the Outer Banks, or the coasts of Sanibel Island. Some have even dived to the depths of the ocean. But most of us are not familiar with the biological origin of shells, their role in explaining evolutionary history, and the incredible variety of forms in which they come. Shells are the external skeletons of mollusks, an ancient and diverse phylum of invertebrates that are in the earliest fossil record of multicellular life over 500 million years ago. There are over 100,000 kinds of recorded mollusks, and some estimate that there are over amillion more that have yet to be discovered. Some breathe air, others live in fresh water, but most live in the ocean. They range in size from a grain of sand to a beach ball and in weight from a few grams to several hundred pounds. And in this lavishly illustrated volume, they finally get their full due. The Book of Shells offers a visually stunning and scientifically engaging guide to six hundred of the most intriguing mollusk shells, each chosen to convey the range of shapes and sizes that occur across a range of species. Each shell is reproduced here at its actual size, in full color, and is accompanied by an explanation of the shell’s range, distribution, abundance, habitat, and operculum—the piece that protects the mollusk when it’s in the shell. Brief scientific and historical accounts of each shell and related species include fun-filled facts and anecdotes that broaden its portrait. The Matchless Cone, for instance, or Conus cedonulli, was one of the rarest shells collected during the eighteenth century. So much so, in fact, that a specimen in 1796 was sold for more than six times as much as a painting by Vermeer at the same auction. But since the advent of scuba diving, this shell has become far more accessible to collectors—though not without certain risks. Some species of Conus produce venom that has caused more than thirty known human deaths. The Zebra Nerite, the Heart Cockle, the Indian Babylon, the Junonia, the Atlantic Thorny Oyster—shells from habitats spanning the poles and the tropics, from the highest mountains to the ocean’s deepest recesses, are all on display in this definitive work.

Next to collecting colourful pebbles, there are few more enjoyable ways to spend a relaxing afternoon than at the seashore collecting ornate seashells. But there is no need to fly away to some exotic tropical locale to begin the fun. If you are in the Pacific Northwest, you will find local beaches as rich in fascinating treasures as any place on earth--or at least you will once you have this handy eight-fold guide to show you where to look and how to identify what you find. Those whose interest in shellfish is mainly gastronomic will also find this waterproof guide an essential tool. The most common clams, oysters and mussels are well-known, but which are safe to eat? Is there any truth in the old saying about months with the letter "R" in them? How long should a harvester wait after a bout of red tide? How do you tell a Manila clam from a butter clam? Where does the fabled geoduck lurk? Is there any foolproof method for catching the elusive razor clam? And what about the multitude of other shell-dwellers that populate our beaches--do they all have names? "A Field Guide to Seashells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest" answers all these questions and more. Here for the first time is a pocket-sized, user-friendly guide to the most popular of all beach creatures, written and photographed by one of the region's most outstanding marine life experts.

The clearest and sharpest recognition guide to over 500 species of seashells from around the world. Authoritative text, crystal-clear photography, and a systematic approach make this the most comprehensive and concise pocket guide to seashells of the world. Packed with more than 600 full-color photographs of over 500 species of seashells, this handy reference book is designed to cut through the complex process of identification and make it accessible to the average reader. Expertly written and thoroughly vetted, each species entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight each shell's characteristics and distinguishing features. The entry always includes a distribution map, showing the geographical range of the species, as well as at-a-glance key facts. Packed with detailed information on the shape of each genus, differences between the major classes, and more, this is the clearest identification guide to seashells for beginners and established enthusiasts alike.