http://museum.nhm.uga.edu/CONCH-L/digest/COA1Apr1998/0113.html
 
Try the above URL.  If unsuccessful, go to Conch-L archive, March 21, 1998 (quickest is to sort by
author and go to "Marlo").  There you will find article on the merits of alcohol preservation
methods depending on intended purpose.  This article reflects the input of all the Conch-L regulars.
 
If the purpose is simply to desicate the animal for storage in your collection, the cheapest, most
effective method is 91%  isopropyl alcohol from Walgreens (less than a dollar for 16 fl oz).
However, to get the price even lower, 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol will do a fine job on
microshells (3 16 fl oz bottles for a dollar when Walgreens puts it on sale.  Wal Mart offers a 32
oz plastic bottle that is great to take on collecting trips that last more than a day.  It's large
and you can just drop a lot of shells in without worrying about dilution).
 
The key to excellent long term, odorless storage is to allow the animal to thoroughly dry after
being dessicated and then store in a controlled, low humidity environment.  You've heard that one
before.
 
Marlo
Florida
 
Scott Schubbe wrote:
 
> No, I don't mean escargot and a cocktail.
> Last night at our shell club meeting, I was flipping through the Astronaut
> Trail Shell Clubs' newsletter, and they had a section in there about cleaning
> and preserving shells. It stated that the drinking type of alcohol was a
> better dessicant than the rubbing alcohol type. So my question is, what to
> use? Is something like Everclear which is 100% grain alcohol good? Or, when my
> wife isn't looking, should I swipe some of her Vodka?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
> Florida