|
|
Heishi
One of the most interesting thoughts about the fossil shells of Philippines is their age. They probably date far back into
the Pleistocene epoch of time. Some of the fossil shells, particularly those found deep, or far down, in the fossil bearing
material, may date as far back as 500,000 to 1.000,000 years or to the beginning of the Pleistocene era.
Remembering that the Pleistocene era was also the era of ice ages, it isn't too hard to visualize why marine shells are found
as much as 200 feet above present sea levels. During periods of glaciation, when ice covered perhaps 28% of the land areas of
the earth, sea level dropped as much as 300 feet below present levels. Conversely, during interglacial periods, the sea rose
as much as 150 to 200 feet above present levels. Professor Ostergaard reported finding fossil marine shells 213 feet above
sea level on the island of Maui. However, this does not mean that sea level necessarily existed at this elevation for the
land may have risen some as a result of earth movement related to earthquake and volcanic activity.
In any event, whether you want to collect fossil shells so you can hold a little of the ancient past in your hands, or
because you want to have all of Philippines's shells in your collection, try having a family collecting day when everyone
looks for, and finds, fossil shells. It's fun for everyone. If the weather is good, I'll see you along the Nanakuli Sea
Cliffs on Sunday, April 11, 1965.
Aloha!
"Would like to thank the Society for the prize of two Cypraea granulata Pease which arrived in good order. Let's have more
surprises like this.
"I will be sending a recently collected specimen of Cypraea aurantium in soon for measuring and recording in the register. It
was taken in a cave 45 feet deep off the southern end of Guam, alive, and in the daytime by a diver using an aqua lung.
Subsequent dives in the same spot at night have so far produced no additional golden cowries, but have yielded fine specimens
of pink based Cypraea mappa, large Cypraea argus, tigris, carneola, and Turbo petholatus. Prospects are good for finding more
aurantium in the area if we persist. Will report any new finds."
A few weeks ago on our way down to Mazatlán, Mexico, we stopped in Guaymas the first night. The tide was out (in fact it was
the first time I saw a good low tide in Guaymas) so my daughter Annette went for a stroll down the beach, a short time later
she came back with 13 Conus virgatus Reeve and one Conus priceps Linnaeus.
I personally cannot realize how these Spondylus happen to be there. They all seem to be old specimens and there is not a
single young one in the vicinity and only a few dead specimens.
Close to that spot, but near the reefs in shallow water, I have picked up quite a few shells, viz: Oliva, Cassis cornuta;
Lambis truncata, arthritica, crocata and elongata; Harpa ventricosa and costata; Mitra cardinalis and mitra; Terebra maculata
(15 cms long), crenulata, dimidiata, etc., but on the other hand have noted the complete absence of Cypraea.
On page one of the February, 1964, issue of Philippine Shell News, Dr. Pat Burgess reported the dredging from 200 fathoms of
a "very old and faded" specimen of Cypraea labrolineata Gaskoin. This shell was dredged aboard Mariel King's motor vessel
"Pele" (pronounced PAY-lay) on a mud and sand bottom off Waikiki, Oahu. Owing to the poor condition of the shell there
remained doubt in some minds as to its true identity.
This doubt was dispelled once and for all by Bert Chamberlin's exciting discovery of a live labrolineata (figs. 1-4 [left])
which he collected on October 16, 1965, while SCUBA diving off the Natatorium at Diamond Head. He was able to keep the animal
alive for several days in his aquarium before it finally expired.
During a recent conversation with Bert, I obtained a clue which may explain the reason why Philippine collectors have not
been able to zero-in on this species. Bert had been swimming at a depth of 40 feet, turning over small brick-sized chunks of
dead coral that were scattered over the flat, hard ocean floor. Here and there appeared patches of coarse sand. He had
pocketed a number of Cypraea helvola found underneath these coral chunks and was in the process of returning one such chunk
to its original position, when out rolled the little labrolineata. But it did NOT roll out from the bottom of the chunk.
Instead, it fell out of algae growing on top of the coral. What collector searches the algae ON TOP of dead coral? None, as
far as I know.
heishi,sigay shells,pokalets,cardium unido,luhuanus,lambis - lambis natural,decorative shell,crafts,hair ornaments,heishi
Heishi black leaf troca strawberry tuna zulcosa shell hairclips cyprea vitilus nasa shell shell accessories shells jewelries clams sigay lambis - lambis natural shells pendants capis lamps decoration cyprea moneta casis cornuta conus.
heishi
Shell
Bracelets
|
