THAT WAS GREAT!!!      You might find Tonna maculosa - I'm sure you will bind a
Xenophoridae.



Ellen Bulger wrote:

> This is a piece I call:
> "shell doggerel composed in impatient anticipation of an upcoming field trip
> to Eleuthera with Bobbi Cordy and her shell club"
>
> I fear that I may never find,
> the xenophora on my mind.
> You'll know how badly I am hooked,
> when under every rock I've looked.
>
> The carrier shell is but one,
> I seek beneath Bahamian sun.
> For once I'd like a cone that's bigger
> than a runty infant chigger.
>
> I found some strombs, but roostertail,
> would make my heart pound without fail,
> Two costatus in my display,
> invite raninus "come and play".
>
> I know it would be loads of fun,
> to trip upon a giant tun.
> I'd dance along like Tiny Tim,
> with shells for me and blooms for him.
>
> And while I've got a hairy triton,
> for femorale I'll be sightin'.
> There's something 'bout a fine Cymatium,
> that gives my heart a palpitation.
>
> Armed with snorkel, fins and mask,
> I'll approach this happy task.
> For some murex, I'll be searchin',
> risking wrath of eel and urchin.
>
> And I hope to learn a thing or four,
> 'bout gastropods along the the shore,
> 'bout cowries and clams and where they range,
> with folks who don't find my hobby strange.
>
> People who don't turn green and pale,
> at the slightest little whiff of snail.
> (No family yelling "What's that smell?",
> when all I did was clean a shell)
>
> Where we'll find them, there's no Tellin,
> the question's "if", when you are shellin'.
> What shells I'll get, I cannot say,
> But I'll meet new friends along the way.

--
Jim and Bobbi Cordy
Specializing in Self Collected Caribbean Species
Merritt Island Florida

2001 SHELL ODYSSEY
July 7-11
Port Canaveral, FL