SEA SHELLS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 12

SEA SHELLS

Coaster Master’s Collection In Just over two years. Captain E. R. Warner, of Wellington, master of the coaster Holmdale, has gathered more than 400 varieties of sea shells. More than 2000 shells, ranging in size from a human skull to ones that would slip into a thimble, are on display in his cabin. Captain Warner says his interest grew from small beginnings and probably developed from his familiarity with small coastal ports with out-of-the-way beaches suitable for gathering shells. His collection has been increased by shells obtained from other countries, including the Great Barrier Reef, Africa, and the West Indies.

As his collection grew. Captain Warner found he needed to know more about his hobby and today he has a small library of authoritative works on sea shells.

From has display trays he can produce razor oyster shells, spiny murex, conch, Bundaberg scallops, golden volute shells, which come from the Canterbury Bight, circular shells, and carrier shells which disguise themselves against the sea bottom. A textile stromb shell from the Great Barrier Reef is extremely poisonous, according to Captain Warner. He produced one for inspection and then picked out a Caribbean shell called a bleeding tooth, which closely resembled the real thing. Other trays revealed tiger shells, trocus, olive, helmet, cam, cowrie, and other varieties.