Stan,

You can try soaking the specimen in a 0.5% aqueous solution of trisodium
phosphate (Van Cleave and Ross, 1947). Thompson, Thompson, and Drummond
(1966) used a method that involved soaking the dried specimen in a mixture
of 50% ethylene glycol and 50% water. Lastly, you can try a 1% aqueous
solution of Trend detergent as described in Presnell and Schreibman
(1997). If the tissue to be re-hydrated is small, you may only have to
soak it overnight; larger specimens may require several days.

Presnell, J. K. and M. P. Schreibman. 1997. Chapter 29: Special Procedures
IV: Reclaiming Dried Gross Specimens (pp. 483-484). In Humason's Animal
Tissue Technique, 5th. Edition. The John Hopkins University Press,
Baltimore, MD. 572 pp.


Thompson, R. J., M. H. Thompson and S. Drummond. 1966. A method for
restoring dried crustacean specimens to taxonomically usable condition.
Crustaceana 10:109.

Van Cleave, H. J. and J. A. Ross. 1947. A method of reclaiming dried
zoological specimens. Science 105:318.

Note, Trend is a detergent and thus this methods is similar to that
mentioned by Paul.  Good luck.

Regards,
Charlie
******************************************************************************
Charlie Sturm, Jr
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
                     Carnegie Museum of Natural History
                     Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Assistant Professor - Family Medicine

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On Sat, 10 May 2003, Stan Westra wrote:

> Hello Folks:
> While beach combing on Alabama beaches yesterday I come upon an Atlantic Pearl Oyster but have been unsuccessful
>  in opening it.  Boiled for 20 minutes and nothing happened.  Any suggestions on how to open this shell without harming it.
> Also found some Vellela Vellela, By-The-Wind -Sailor.  Any suggestions where to find information on this?
> You can tell I'm a novice at his so please be kind to me.
> Thanks
>
> Stan
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