STARTING A COLLECTION. . .HERE'S HOW



Knowing WHERE to look for shells you probably wonder WHEN is the
best time. The answer is ANYTIME. Mollusks know no season. Some
species appear suddenly for several days and then vanish; others
can be found almost anytime. Most mollusks appear at night, but
others work only in the daytime and go out of sight after dark.
The tides may have something to do with it. So does the weather--
it can be hot or cold, dry or rainy. While you won't find the same
shell at all times, you'll find a great variety at any time.

What to take? The things pictured on page 8 should be enough.
If you're going out on the coral reefs along Florida, it would be
wise to keep your legs covered as protection against stings or
scratches. Don't ever forget to wear some kind of shoes in the
water. Even though you're wearing a mask or goggles, take along
a gig or some slender stick and feel your way along so you don't
fall into a hole you can't see in the deceptive near-tropical
waters. If, despite precautions, you get a sea urchin's needlelike
spine broken off in your skin, soak the wound in vinegar which will
dissolve the fragments and stop the pain in a few minutes.

Tiny shells buried in sand can be netted in your sieve. Clinging
ones must be chiseled off rocks. Frail, delicate clingers should