----Original Message-----
From: Bill Frank <[log in to unmask]>
To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 12:59 AM
Subject: Re: Official State Shells
 
 
>State shells is a topic which I have done considerable research.  It is not
>over
>yet. I did a "State Shell" display in 1995 based upon about a year of
>research and
>subsequently published that display on the Internet.  Recently in Coastal
>Living (Sep.-Oct. 1998), there was an article published which was
>"very, very similar"  in wording and content to my year old Internet
>article.
>
>Since the appearance of that Coastal Living article, I have revisited the
>subject (in that now more states have web pages and offer the ability to
>access their official records via "teleport.")  Most states have been very
>accomadating in researching their offical records to provide an answer to
>my queries.
>
>The results can be found on the Jacksonville Shell Club Pages; with images,
>of the respective shells.
>
>A simple internet search will lead an individual to a complete list of
those
>states with an "official state fossil" which could include a ""seashell.""
>
>I would be happy to hear from anyone who thinks that I may have missed
>a species or information on our internet pages and has a suggestion.
>
>As for specifics, the state of Florida says I should come to the capital to
>review their records in regards to designation.  With 14 states having
>"official
>state shells," this could require considerable travel and would be a job
>for more than just one individual.
>
>
>Bill Frank
>1865 Debutante Dr.
>Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645
>Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326
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>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
>http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm
>
>
>--Original Message-----
>From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 1:10 PM
>Subject: Official State Shells
>
>
>>Hi Folks,
>>OK, here's a shell-related question:  Are there any non-coastal
>>states that have an officially designated state shell (or official
>>state mollusk)?  This is what I personally was wondering, but, not to
>>discriminate against those from coastal regions, perhaps you too could
>>share something about your official state shell, if you have one,
>>especially if there is an interesting story about how it came to be
>>so designated.  Also wondering - do folks in other countries get
>>involved in this "official state such-and such" business?  Here in
>>Rhode Island we have an official state shell, state mineral, state
>>flower, state bird, and heaven knows what else.  Our official state
>>shell is the quahog (or quahaug), Mercenaria mercenaria (also known
>>as hardshell clam, round clam, littleneck clam, and cherrystone
>>clam).  "Quahog" (pronounced kwohog or kohog, with a long first o) is
>>an anglicization of a Narragansett Indian word "poquauhock", which I
>>am told by an authoritative source, means "black" or "dark-colored".
>>The Narragansett tribe inhabited Rhode Island before the coming of
>>European settlers, and still does.  Beautiful purple and white belts
>>of "wampum" were once made from beads carved from this shell (the
>>interior of the shell is mostly white, but mature specimens have a
>>deep purple area which usually covers about 20-25% of the interior,
>>but in occasional specimens may cover 50% or more).  The Rhode Island
>>state legislature officially designated the quahog the official state
>>shell in 1987, as a result of the efforts of a shell club run by a
>>teacher in a local junior high school.  The kids testified before
>>committees, wrote press releases, gave radio interviews, and pushed
>>the bill through both houses of the assembly.  The species is both
>>economically and gastronomically important here in the northeastern
>>United States.  Next time you consume a bowl of New England clam
>>chowder (that's REAL chowder - the white kind, not that red stuff
>>they call chowder a few miles south of here), you can take
>>satisfaction in the knowledge that you are enjoying the Rhode Island
>>state mollusk.
>>Regards,
>>Paul M.