> I'ld be interested in getting some advice on how to clean cowries or
> otherwise get them in a state that I can bring them back to the USA
> when
> travelling internationally and staying in hotels.

I put them in alcohol. If they are small enough,  you can keep them in
FUJI film canisters (they don't leak) until you get home. If they're
larger, take along a couple of dental picks. After a few hours in
alcohol you can usually pry the animal out carefully with the dental
picks. You can see the end of the curl if you get all the animal out.
Rinse thoroughly and then pack the aperture as tightly as possible with
toilet paper or tissue to keep any fluids from leaking out  and etching
the shine. You can put them in zipper bags then, and if you think there
is still  some flesh inside put a few drops of alcohol  in the bag and
double bag them.

I was able to clean a bunch of Cypraea mus last week with very little
trouble.

Peggy

           Peggy Williams: shell collecting trips
          Visit my website: www.Shelltrips.com
                               PO Box 575
                        Tallevast FL 34270
                           (941) 355-2291
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