9781422275054

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Dusavel’s cone shell, Conus dusaveli, is found in deep water off the Philippines where it preys on other mollusks but is itself sometimes swallowed by fish. It moves over reefs on a large foot that partly envelops the shell.

T here can be few natural objects as beautiful and fascinating as the shells of mollusks. No human sculptor can match the intricacies of design and patterns found in shells, some of which are so small that a magnifying glass is needed to fully appre- ciate their beauty. No artist can reproduce the stunning range of colors, markings, and textures seen in shells, which can vary in size from a fraction of an inch (a few millimeters) up to giants greater than 2 feet in length (61 centimeters). Shells occur in all the world’s oceans, from the polar regions to the tropics, and few beaches are found without some shells at the water line. Land and tree snails must be included also, for they, too, show the same beauties of form and color, and still more shells can be found in freshwater, in all habitats from the tiniest streams to the largest lakes. Humans have used shells in many ways for thousands of years. Many of the largest mollusks are still important sources of food for coastal communities, and some, like abalones and oysters, are now expensive delicacies for gourmets. Shells have been used as jewelry, with some rare and particularly beautiful species commanding high prices. For some ancient cultures shells must have had a religious or ritual significance, for they have often been discovered by archaeolo- gists investigating ancient tombs. It was usually high-ranking indi- viduals like kings or priests who were buried with the most impressive shells. Numerous other uses have been discovered for shells; tools and kitchen utensils can be fashioned from them, and some have been used as a form of currency. The ancient Roman emperors wore

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