Despite all the hype, while the tides were lower than usual, they were
not all that low.  About 6 years ago, the tides here in Florida were in
fact very low - the lowest this century. While the Jacksonville Shell
Club had routinely shelled Cedar Key with tides that were only in
the minus 1+ foot range, during that period they were nearly minus
2 feet.  Surprisingly, the difference between a minus 1 plus foot
tide and a minus 2 plus foot tide didn't translate well to the amount
of substrate available.

Specific tidal measurements and dates are available upon request.

Bill F.

----- Original Message -----
From: David Kirsh <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 1999 10:20 PM
Subject: Millennial Dancing Denture


> OK, I took the 3-hour drive to take advantage of the low tide at Ft.
> Fisher, NC. I bundled up with several layers. Still it was more pleasant
> when the sun peeked out. The tide didn't seem especially low and I didn't
> find much in the way of shells. However, there seemed to be more sharks'
> teeth than usual.
>
> But I also found what looks to me like a fossil horse's tooth. Nearly two
> inches long by an inch wide. It occurs to me that large horses didn't get
> to the New World until very recently. Maybe it's another large cud-chewer?
> Pre-historic horse-shark? Any ideas out there among the fossil
enthusiasts?
>
>
> -David
> Durham, NC