An intriguing assortment of shell dreams! The dreams are as diverse as the personalities that created them. Shells mean so many different things to people. A few months ago, Conch-L discussed why we collect shells, and even ventured a little into the psychology of collecting. I've heard it conjectured that shells are feminine symbols to at least a few men. Do cowries come from Venus, and cones from Mars? Or are they just pretty? Beauty alone cannot explain all of our reactions to shells, but neither can hormones. You can lose yourself while gazing into the glossy surface of an olive or cowry, or while marveling at the pink abundance of a conch interior, and this tranquility is a great benefit. There is a real sensuosity in the spirals of gastropods. Who has not extended a finger into the glazed interior of a snail, just to feel the smooth, cool nacre? Our enjoyment of shells is as tactile as it is visual, it would seem. And there is real mystery in the spiral. We have all wondered how a snail can turn just so, over the course of a lifetime, to secrete a perfect home. But a snail on paper is almost as intriguing; so aren't we indulging in a pure mathematical delight when we enjoy its pattern? And I haven't even gone into the enjoyment of rarities, the delight of discovery, or the thrill of competition. It's no wonder that we can't get enough of shells in the daytime, but must dream about them too! Andrew K. Rindsberg Geological Survey of Alabama