> >
And this might be the time to announce a major range extension. While
performing a mussel relocation on the Walhonding River in central Ohio last
month, I found a Haliotis rufescens. I think this is a significant find.
< <


Now, was this Haliotis critter living or dead?

 We never did find any Barbie heads when I used to do stream surveys in HS, however we did find several decapitated and/or mutilated kens as well as the occasional skipper. I often wonder who lived around there, because some of the ways these dolls were so brutally discharged would have freaked out even the most seasoned cop.

ON a mollusk note, the only mollusk I ever found on those surveys was the infamous alien vivipariid in dry mud... and somehow they were still alive and well when rehydrated from what appeared to be a period of time well over 2 months on dry land. We also would find the shells of Illynassa obsoleta that appeared to be fresh dead (fresh as in reeking) along the sides of a drainage pond, about 100 miles from the nearest salt marsh. I have two theories as to how they might get there.. one, someone went to the beach, picked up some shells, and when they got home and realized that they were now dead and stinking, then took them to the pond and ditched them, OR.. a seagull on speed would go to a salt marsh far away, pick them up, and ditch them in this pond.

As for this "letter", it is one of the older of urban legends floating around. Keys to it's identity are as follows:

The Smithsonian institution is not called the Smithsonian institute
Words such as "Centemetre" are spelled the British way
An official  letter from the Smithsonian would never be signed "Yours in science"
There is no such employee named "Harvey Rowe" and never has been

And finally, The address given at the top is a residential address in the neighborhood of Capital Hill, and the closest SI office is about 8 blocks away.

This is not the first time I have seen this one, but I still find it amusing.. mainly because I know people that would do something like that, however, I doubt that a museum would take the time to respond with such a lengthy letter.

-Sarah



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Sarah R. Watson
Curatorial Assistant
Dept. of Malacology
Academy of Natural Sciences
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http://www.geocities.com/scalaria