Fort Myers & Sanibel/Lee County Traveler's Guide 2008 - (Page 48) ®® SHELLS ON THE BEACHES t here’s no denying the appeal of wandering a deserted beach in search of treasures from the sea. Join in this favored pastime, and learn the difference between the “Sanibel Stoop” GIFTS FROM and the “Captiva Crouch.” Here is a small sample of the 400 species of shells found on the beaches in Lee County, where cones, volutes, bivalves and olives decorate the shores. Additional information about beaches and shelling appears beginning on page 92 and the sea at www.fortmyers-sanibel.com. Alphabet cone Conus spurius Color: cream to white with rows of orange to lightbrown spots. Apple murex Chicoreus pomum A thick, heavy shell with a rough tan-tobrown surface. Angel wing Cyrtopleura costata After storms, loose valves wash ashore on Gulf beaches. Atlantic calico scallop Argopecten gibbus Upper valve is lighter in color than lower and has orange, pink or brown markings. Common nutmeg Cancellaria reticulate Albinos are not uncommon. Atlantic giant cockle Dinocardium robustum Color: pale tan to yellowishbrown with irregular mottling. he Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel is a real treasure. With strong ties to the national Smithsonian Institution and local Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, this temple to all things shell showcases shells of Southwest Florida and huge and rare specimens from around the world. The rainbow of color of Japanese scallops looks almost unnatural (it’s not), and there’s a whole section dedicated to understanding the role of shells as currency through history. Sailors’ Valentines remind moderns of days-gone-by dating rituals, and a video shows the life cycle of area mollusks, captured on film over eight years. A blue-hued, underseainspired interactive children’s section will delight kids. shellacious! T PAGE 48 http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com
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