Dear Nora, Ditto....I totally agree...especially about the contributors who are so kind to the newbies. Jennifer (in Phoenix, where it's another Perfect day) >From: NORA BRYAN <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Periostraca and Opercula >Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 16:24:12 -0700 > >As a landlocked shell collector I've rarely seen living shells and so, I >have a few questions that maybe some of you experienced shell collectors >and malacologists can answer: >About Periostraca - what function does the periostracum have, and do all >gastropods and bivalves have one?. I suspect that cones and cowries >never do. >About Opercula - these little doors are clearly for defense and possibly >also to prevent dehydration in the case of exposure. Any other uses? >In families where the operculum is present, is it present in all >species? For example, do all trochids and turbinids have opercula? >And Happy birthday to Conch-L! What an excellent resource for beginners >like me. I feel like I have a few E-friends now! I know that some >members get impatient with the same "newbie" questions every so often as >more beginners find the site, but I'd really like to express my >gratitude to people like Tom Eichhorst, Paul Monfils, Gary Rosenberg, >Andrew Rindsberg and numerous others (I don't mean to leave anyone out - >there have been so many people) who always try and help us beginners >out. It is expensive to get all the books one needs all at once, even >if one knew which ones those are. I am starting to get my books, and >using the net and libraries also, so hopefully eventually I'll be able >to contribute more and ask questions less. Thanks again for a great >site! Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com