Nancy,  I believe the opercula is the same sort of "tissue " as fingernails, if so glycerin would work .... ,,just a
thought... I'll give it a try on the old horse conch opercula. Will give status report at 6 months, 1 year , 5 year and if i
haven't been sniped, 10 year intervals.... I'll take all suggestions and treat each opercula with the suggested element and
we'll see what cooks .... ferret
----- Original Message -----
From: Nancy Smith <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 11:26 AM
Subject: preserving an operculum


| Hello,
|
| Coming out from "observe" mode to post a question:
|
| How best to preserve the appearance of an operculum (by the way, is pleural
| of operculum "opercula" as my medical terminology would suggest?)?  Have
| used a coating of mineral oil but this does not last very long and the
| operculum dries out quickly and appears to even shrink.
|
| Thanks,
| Nancy
|