Entering 
                              The Academy 
                              of Natural 
                              History 
                              of Philadelphia  
                              by 
                              Marcus 
                              Coltro 
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                     During 
                     the shell show in 
                     Philadelphia (October 
                     2004) we visited 
                     the collection of 
                     the Academy, guided 
                     by Dr. Gary Rosenberg. 
                     We were specially 
                     interested in some 
                     Holotypes and Paratypes 
                     they have so we 
                     could compare with 
                     our shells. 
                      
                        Dr. Rosenberg 
                        promotes visits 
                        to the collection 
                        every year for 
                        participants 
                        of the shell 
                        show. The collection 
                        is one of the 
                        best in US, very 
                        well maintained 
                        and since the 
                        Museum foundation 
                        in 1812 it was 
                        enlarged by several 
                        collections acquired. 
                        You can see some 
                        of its history 
                        at http://www.ansp.org/about/history.php 
                        and also visit 
                        their fantastic 
                        website. 
                     
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