(8" screen strikes again!)  As i was saying, try looking  around and
under rocks (don't forget to turn them over again!)  for goodies, and
take along  a 1mm ((24-mesh) screen, for sifting  seds through.  A good
# of extra spp can be procured by wading out a couple of feet into the
subtidal region, turning  over those rocks and scooping up some sediment
for later screening.  If you get an opportunity to go out with  a trap
fisherman for a day, take it:  you would be surprised at the shells the
hermit crabs live in, and how good the condition often is!  Count on at
least three, perhaps 3.5 hrs of good shelling  per very low tide, and
have fun!!  o yes- take along  one of those nets for swiping molluscs
off of seaweed, and check under and in the seaweed intertidally, as well
as in cracks and holes, and don't forget to dissect any waterlogged
boards thrown up on the beach.!  At this time of year, neophrene gloves
(rentable at dive shops) might be a good idea.
 
        Welcome back, Lynn, and MANY thanks for the words of  sanity and good
old "horse sense" you write so well.
 
        By the way, for all new members,  Bret Raines' molluscs.net is a
FABULOUS place to pursue the buying, selling  and trading of shells.  I
heartily reccomend it.
 
        Finally, a question:  A while ago,  a debate regarding  how many spp of
Melongena inhabit Florida flared up.  Can anybody sum up the consensus
of this, in 25 words or less, and has genetic work been done to settle
the matter?
 
                                                                                        -Ross M.
                                                (Schooner Specimen Shells in the Great White North).