> I found several pencil shaped shells - long thin w/ purple on it - looked
> like an ivory tusk shell but it has purple on it. Beautiful- found several
> together off of bird  island and Atlantic beach as well. Ranging from the
> size of an adult female index finger and as small as my pinky- can you help.

They may be sea urchin spines; if those are North Carolina then
Arbacia would be a likely source for purple ones.


--
Dr. David Campbell
425 Scientific Collections
University of Alabama
"I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"

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