I have collected many nice Xenophora with the "river rocks" near Las
Salinas, which is a small town about a two hour car ride west of Santo
Domingo.  During the past two decades Glenn Duffy has taken several shelling
groups to Las Salinas and other locations in the D.R. I suspect that many of
the Xenophora with "river rocks" from the D.R. that are currently in
collections in the U.S. are probably from Las Salinas.

As the name suggests, one of the main industries in Las Salinas is making
salt from sea water by means of evaporation.  There is one small, pleasant
hotel in town.  It is a cultural experience to spend a few days there.  I
feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so.  Although cleaning the
external surface of the Xenophora can take quite a bit of time, the cleaned,
oiled shells with the black "river rocks" are quite attractive.  One caveat
is appropriate.  The last time I visited Las Salinas was in 1998.  Much may
have changed since then.

Ken Piech


-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Ellen Bulger
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 6:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Dominican Republic Xenos


Have any of you conch-lers collected Xenophora in the Dominican
Republic? Where? Where did you find those river rock Xenos? I'm seeing
a number of rivers on my map and I'm wondering...