Pistils in flowers are reproductive organs. Perhaps the reason they are believed to enhance sexual performance. Mike Iacoboni -----Original Message----- From: Bobbi Cordy <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Monday, April 19, 1999 5:02 PM Subject: Re: Conch pistil >This is part of the digestive system. Perhaps where the waste is >secreted. > >The Bahamians believe it to be an aphrodysiac (sp?). > >Peter V Wolfe wrote: > >> I just got back from the Bahamas, where we went conching. >> During the process of separating the animals from their >> shells, our Bahamian guide pulled out a clear stringy >> thing he called the "pistil" [my spelling], which he >> dipped in sea water and ate. He says it's a tradition, >> so of course I ate one too. I'm trying to find out >> what part of the animal it was. I've searched a lot of >> 'net sites, and I can't find any detailed anatomy of >> conches. >> >> Also, can anyone recommend a good resource for identifying >> the species of conch I got? I still have the shell, but I >> know that getting a genus and species is a long shot. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Peter > >-- >Jim and Bobbi Cordy >of Merritt Island, Florida. > >Jim Specializes in Self-Collected >Caribbean & Florida Shells > >Bobbi in Shell Creations