Recently, we discussed the fact that some shells dissolve more readily than others. Here is an example of a shell that looks robust, but is actually rather brittle. The Eocene Gosport Sand of Alabama (USA) includes shell beds deposited in storms. Gastropods typically have chipped or broken lips, and are commonly filled with shells that look as though they were jammed into the aperture. An unidentified species of Busycon is fairly common in the Gosport Sand at Little Stave Creek, but is only rarely found complete. Most specimens consist only of columellas or of equant chunks that may include one of the distinctive low spines. The species is one of the largest in the formation, and the shell looks robust. Other large, common gastropods are relatively well preserved. My question to you is: Are modern Busycon shells more brittle than those of other large gastropods? Andrew K. Rindsberg Geological Survey of Alabama