>I recently set about to better preserve my periostracum bearing molluscs.
>I found a previous thread on Conch-L regarding the subject and decided I
>would settle upon a mix of 50 percent alcohol-glycerine solution for the
>deed.  When I went to local lab supply stockroom, the man told me: that "I
>have 'Glycerol' which is the same thing as glycerine."  Not having
>memorized the chemical formula, and assuming this man knew what he was
>talking about, I purchased the glycerol (I thought perhaps this was just
>the brand name).  A couple weeks later I found myself in another lab
>supply outfit and found the glycerol bottles sitting next to the glycerine
>bottles.  They were clearly not exactly the same as they had different
>chemical formulas (glycerol being a "hydrated" version of glycerine).
>
>My question is (especially important to me as I've had 2 nice Colus
>stimpsoni soaking for 2 weeks in this glycerine "imposter"), does Glycerol
>work the same as Glycerine?  Will it preserve the periostracum the same
>way?  And even if does ultimately preserve, is there any important
>differences or concerns regarding glycerol that I should know about?
>
>Finally, regarding glycerine and glycerol, the past discussions on this
>topic mentioned "What" to preserve your soft parts with, but nothing
>about "How long."  How long do people usually soak their shells to achieve
>the desired result?
>
>Thanks for any help, Kevin
>
>Kevin Czaja
>Dorchester, MA

Glycerine is water-soluble and hygroscopic... that is, apparently it
absorbs atmospheric water. Not good for shells. Glycerine will become
glycerol all by itself once applied to the shell!

It WILL keep periostracum soft, but if there is ANY acid in the air
(eg storage in wooden, MDF  or chipboard cabinets) it will result in
acid attack on shells treated with it, and the periostracum will come
loose. how do I know, you ask...?

I used it at about 60% ethanol:glycerine and painted it on with a
brush, then let it sit a while (overnight), then wiped off the
excess. But I won't use it any more.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
64 (3) 473-8863
<[log in to unmask]>
Fossil preparator
Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut
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I want your sinistral gastropods!
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Opinions in this e-mail are my own, not those of my institution
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