Actually, Rich, Pine Oil is supposed to eat up the tissue, not harden it.

Peggy

> On Feb 19, 2017, at 3:22 PM, Callomon,Paul <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> I would recommend a solution of trisodium phosphate. A teaspoonful of powdered TSP in a pint of warm water is enough; leave the specimens in there for a couple of days. TSP is a strong detergent that rehydrates even the most concrete-hardened tissue. Alconox-brand laboratory detergent is similar to TSP and will work just as well. 
> 
> Paul Callomon
> Collection Manager, Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
> ________________________________
> Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
> [log in to unmask] Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170
> 
> ________________________________________
> From: Conchologists List [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of worldwide [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 3:12 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CONCH-L] Shell cleaning advice
> 
> Dear Conch'lers,
> 
> Can anyone suggest a method for softening the molluscan animal from
> small shells that have desiccated after being soaked in 80% Pine
> Oil?  My goal in doing so is to remove the animal and/or the
> medicinal/cleansing Pine Oil smell from the shells.  I've tried
> soaking the shells in diluted bleach and also injected Hydrogen
> Peroxide into the apertures with the hope of dissolving the animals
> and not damage the shells, but I've had no success.  Since I have no
> experience with Pine Oil as a preservative for mollusks, any advice
> would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Many thanks.
> Rich
> 
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