A few years ago I was vacationing in Mazatlan in early May (right
     before a hurricane hit I believe). It had been stormy a few days
     before and quite a few jellyfish & man-o-war were washed up on the
     beach. So were lots and lots of janthina! It was an absolute delight
     although I a lot of explaining to some British friends who were sure
     that those shells were alive and "bleeding" purple blood. They still
     call me "Mollusk Murderer"
 
     Sue in Denver
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Purple dye "Harvesting"
Author:  Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]> at INET
Date:    5/20/98 2:40 PM
 
 
Andy,
 
I was in Grand Isle, La., in late March and early April at our beach house,
and found Velella velella all over the beach--didn't know what they were at
the time, but with some persistent questioning of Wildlife and Fisheries on
the island and other beachbum friends, was told what they were.  Actually we
found a reference to them in a book called "Texas Seashores", or something
close to that.There were no janthina attached, much to my disappointment--that
is what I was really looking for.
 
Maybe next year.
 
Debbie Duval