----Original Message----- From: Bill Frank <[log in to unmask]> To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 12:59 AM Subject: Re: Official State Shells >State shells is a topic which I have done considerable research. It is not >over >yet. I did a "State Shell" display in 1995 based upon about a year of >research and >subsequently published that display on the Internet. Recently in Coastal >Living (Sep.-Oct. 1998), there was an article published which was >"very, very similar" in wording and content to my year old Internet >article. > >Since the appearance of that Coastal Living article, I have revisited the >subject (in that now more states have web pages and offer the ability to >access their official records via "teleport.") Most states have been very >accomadating in researching their offical records to provide an answer to >my queries. > >The results can be found on the Jacksonville Shell Club Pages; with images, >of the respective shells. > >A simple internet search will lead an individual to a complete list of those >states with an "official state fossil" which could include a ""seashell."" > >I would be happy to hear from anyone who thinks that I may have missed >a species or information on our internet pages and has a suggestion. > >As for specifics, the state of Florida says I should come to the capital to >review their records in regards to designation. With 14 states having >"official >state shells," this could require considerable travel and would be a job >for more than just one individual. > > >Bill Frank >1865 Debutante Dr. >Jacksonville, FL 32246-8645 >Phone/FAX: (904) 724-5326 >[log in to unmask] >[log in to unmask] >[log in to unmask] >[log in to unmask] >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at: >http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm > > >--Original Message----- >From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 1:10 PM >Subject: Official State Shells > > >>Hi Folks, >>OK, here's a shell-related question: Are there any non-coastal >>states that have an officially designated state shell (or official >>state mollusk)? This is what I personally was wondering, but, not to >>discriminate against those from coastal regions, perhaps you too could >>share something about your official state shell, if you have one, >>especially if there is an interesting story about how it came to be >>so designated. Also wondering - do folks in other countries get >>involved in this "official state such-and such" business? Here in >>Rhode Island we have an official state shell, state mineral, state >>flower, state bird, and heaven knows what else. Our official state >>shell is the quahog (or quahaug), Mercenaria mercenaria (also known >>as hardshell clam, round clam, littleneck clam, and cherrystone >>clam). "Quahog" (pronounced kwohog or kohog, with a long first o) is >>an anglicization of a Narragansett Indian word "poquauhock", which I >>am told by an authoritative source, means "black" or "dark-colored". >>The Narragansett tribe inhabited Rhode Island before the coming of >>European settlers, and still does. Beautiful purple and white belts >>of "wampum" were once made from beads carved from this shell (the >>interior of the shell is mostly white, but mature specimens have a >>deep purple area which usually covers about 20-25% of the interior, >>but in occasional specimens may cover 50% or more). The Rhode Island >>state legislature officially designated the quahog the official state >>shell in 1987, as a result of the efforts of a shell club run by a >>teacher in a local junior high school. The kids testified before >>committees, wrote press releases, gave radio interviews, and pushed >>the bill through both houses of the assembly. The species is both >>economically and gastronomically important here in the northeastern >>United States. Next time you consume a bowl of New England clam >>chowder (that's REAL chowder - the white kind, not that red stuff >>they call chowder a few miles south of here), you can take >>satisfaction in the knowledge that you are enjoying the Rhode Island >>state mollusk. >>Regards, >>Paul M.