SHELLS OF THE PHILIPPINES is the first book of its kind devoted entirely to the identification of mollusks occurring within the Philippines. For the first time, shell collectors can avail themselves of a comprehensive guide to most of the shells likely to be encountered in a trip to the islands.

Over 1,600 species are illustrated in 100 full color plates, and coverage includes the Gastropoda, the Bivalvia, the Scaphopoda and the Cephalopoda. In addition, four plates are devoted to land snails and fresh water astropods, covering two groups, some briefly, others in more detail. All species are annotated with the currently accepted scientific name (including author and date), a brief but concise description, and a distribution profile within the archipelago.

SHELLS OF THE PHILIPPINES is not, nor does it profess to be, a complete regional guide to all the molluscs occurring in Philipppine waters. Such an undertaking would require many years of work and research, and was never envisaged as the principal object of the book. Rather, the guide was designed to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of collectors who require an identification manual for the species most likely to be encountered on a trip to the country.

A broad selection of most molluscan groups have been covered, including a small section on Land Snails and Fresh Water Gastropods. Nearly all of the commonly encountered molluscan families have been touched on, some briefly, others in greater detail. Many species, some endemic, others unnamed, have never before been illustrated in any current identification guide, and are now, for the first time, figured and described.