>Dan:
>
>How do they remove the animal and then reinsert it?  Most molluscs are
>dead from being removed from their shell.  Do you have more details?
>
>Aloha,
>
>Wes.
 
Wes,
        The snail is removed from its rock,(It has a rather large
aperture), is squeezed into it shell (which causes the shell to release its
purple dye).  It is not removed from its shell, only squeezed close and the
dye(only a small amount) is dripped onto the yarn.  You can see these
pieces if you look for cloth from Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico.  Several years
ago a Japanese film crew went there and made a documentary on different
dying techniques.  This was one of the methods.  If you find a book on
Mexican costumes or fabrics, you should find more information.  Good luck
on your search.
        Dan Yoshimoto
 
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Dan & Hiromi Yoshimoto
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