So I'm wondering if anyone out there can help me solve the mystery of "Pyrgiscus caroliniana (Tuomey and Holmes)" or the Carolina Turbonille. This is a species presented in Richards J. Heuer, Jr.'s (now out of print) "Exploring for Sea Shells on Martha's Vineyard" (1970). I've used this excellent book a lot as it provides specific information on where to collect and what you can expect to find. However, I do not know what his entry on "Pyrgiscus caroliniana (Tuomey and Holmes)" refers to. I've joked with my friend about Mr. Heuer inventing this species as an April Fools prank. I (and no one I know) can seem to find the original Tuomey and Holmes literature describing this shell (or another reference in the literature to this mollusk of any kind). Heuer does not provide a date for the original Tuomey and Holmes description. I could easily just dismiss this whole issue except that this past year I ended up finding some turbonilles on Martha's Vineyard that match the particular description that Heuer provides (the most tell-tale factor being that they are described as being "brownish in color," a characteristic that as far as I can tell, is absent in all other Northwestern Atlantic turbonilles - and not something I've noted in any of the many other turbonilles I've found across New England). If any one has any information that might help me solve this mystery, I would greatly appreciate it! Oh, and if you intend to email me directly, please use my work address: [log in to unmask] I won't get it otherwise. -Thanks, Kevin Czaja ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------