Can"t tell the difference between a clam shell and a mangrove seed? Take Shells of the Texas Coast to the beach with you and delight in identifying your finds. This is the ideal field guide for both the weekend shell collector and the professional malacologist. It identifies more than 270 shells of the Texas Gulf Coast by both common and scientific names. Each shell is fully described and beautifully photographed. Full-color photos of the shells most often encountered on Texas beaches are also included. Shells of the Texas Coast makes identification easy. Simply compare your shell with the photographs and descriptions in the book. They are arranged systematically, beginning with the most primitive and progressing to the higher orders. You will be able to classify your find, determine how common it is, and learn where it is usually found. For the serious collector, this guidebook offers complete details on identifying mollusks and useful tips for preserving and storing shells.