----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Grebneff" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 3:15 AM
Subject: Re: Gumboot Chitons


> >I just collected a number of very large Cryptochiton stelleri and
> >am going to clean them today. What is the safest way to clean
> >them so that the plates don't crack...I've had a few chitons break
> >their plates due to rolling up in a ball when boiled.
> >
> >(No, I'm not going to preserve the girdles...to much bother for
> >such huge animals.)
> >
> >Maybe I should freeze them first and then make slits along the
> >girdles with a knife to relieve the stress...or then again maybe
> >none of them will crack.
>
> What I would do is keep them in a flat container with a bit of
> seawater, so they unroll and lie flat. Put this in a deepfreeze until
> they die, then remove the foot and viscera; pour in ethanol mixed
> with glycerine to preserve them; the glycerine will keep them
> pliable. Without girdle these things are near-valueless.
>
> Actually, I would not collect a large specimen; about 10-15cm would
> do fine for me.
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
>