Conchology

/kɒŋˈkɒlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The scientific study of shells, particularly those of mollusks like clams, snails, and oysters.

Etymology

From Greek konche (shell) and -logia (study or science). The term gained prominence in the 18th century as natural history became organized into distinct disciplines.

Kelly Says

Conchology was so popular in Victorian times that shell-collecting societies existed in every major city—it was basically the collecting craze before baseball cards!

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