>     We strike again.
>      This is certain to sound obvious. But I have not seen it
>discussed. It seems that smooth, streamlined shells (Olives, Cowries,
>etc.) are more apt to spend a good part of their lives submerged
>under a layer of mud or sand than are shells with stickers on them (M.
> pecten, Lambis, etc.) Smoothies can submerge easier. Stickers allow
>for more protection out in the open.
>    So the question is: are there exceptions to this phenomenon?
>       Art
>
>
 
Many ornamented shells burrow (miters, terebras, cockles, etc.), and in fact
it has been shown that the sculpture actually aids burrowing. The work of
Stanley and Savazzi comes to mind on this issue.
 
 
 
*  G Thomas Watters               *
*  Ohio Biological Survey &       *
*  Aquatic Ecology Laboratory     *
*  Ohio State University          *
*  1315 Kinnear Rd.               *
*  Columbus, OH 43212 USA         *
*  v:614-292-6170 f:614-292-0181  *
 
"The world is my oyster, except for months with an "R" in them" - Firesign
Theater
 
"A paranoid is a man who knows a little of what's going on" - William Burroughs