On Saturday, April 14, 2001 11:41 PM, Chuck wrote:

> Last time I looked, there were no boundary lines UW and no customs
> inspectors.  It is always possible that it got there in the bilges of a
> merchant vessel.  Look at the zebra mussel infestation in the Great Lakes
> here.

It could've 'hitched' a ride.  We've had jellyfish from Malaysia and
starfish from Japan that arrived in the water ballast - it's just that I
never thought of shelled critters as being hitch-hikers!  :-)

>OTOH, maybe you need to take a picture so everyone can see it or
> perhaps you need a better book. ;-)

Let's forget my pathetic attempts at photography!  Does anyone know of a
good - and comprehensive - book on shells?

> There is a reef off of Del Ray where people have seen a fish that belongs
in
> the Phillipines not in Florida.  Who knows.  Could have come from an
> aquarium someone dumped or from a passing ship.

> Makes it easy to understand though why tourists from the UK are being
asked
> to step in disinfectant before entering various countries though doesnt
it?

I'm not entering into any discussions that have derogatory racial overtones!
:-)

Strike