A
Guide to Worldwide Cowries 2nd
edition
by F. Lorenz &
A. Hubert
2002,
published in Germany by ConchBooks, 584 pages A4 size (about 8 by 12
inches) includes 116 full color plates, 12 plates in black and white
and numerous drawn text figures and locality maps, printed
laminated board covers, glued (so called "Perfect") binding
This book is probably
one of the best selling shell books that I have keep in my inventory.
Since the Cypraea are by far the most popular
family among shell collectors that really is not a surprise. The second
edition of this book updates and ads some new information as well as
adding some new information to the earlier 1993 edition. The book is
well laid out and it is easy to use. The plates are located
near the back of the book and are on the right hand pages, on
the left is a key to the identification and the complete text is in the
fore part of the book. The plates illustrate many forms and varieties
of the same species and that makes it a great book to use for "thumb
through" identifications. In the 13th part of the book you
will find a comprehensive synonymy for the living species of
cowries and the status of each name is given. A great tool
when you are confronted with a name that you are not familiar with and
hopefully one that will keep you from adding the same shell under two
different names to your collection. The book contains some excellent
introductory material as well. Both causal and very advanced collectors
will find themselves constantly using this book as a
reference source. 
