OK … now you’ve gone and done it … you’ve posted an image of a Cowry. Having just written about the molluscan mantle, and talked about its ability to secrete nacre … how am I to keep from talking to you about why it is the OUTSIDE of the Cowry shell that is so shiny, rather than its inside (which is the usual case in molluscs). The answer is … that this animal essentially wears its mantle on the outside. Take a look … http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110417/Plus/plus_07.html. That stuff on the outside of the Cowry is living tissue … the mantle. It secretes nacre as the outermost layer of the shell (rather as its inner layer). This creates beautifully, shiny, shells which folks love to collect.
Mmmmm, dentist appt Wednesday.
July 25, 2016 at 10:15 am
Ha ha. 😀 Indeed.
July 26, 2016 at 9:30 am
That’s quite a smile. Lovely creamy tones.
July 25, 2016 at 11:24 am
Thank you, Richard. Yes, it’s a quirky sort of grin, isn’t it. 🙂
July 26, 2016 at 9:32 am
OK … now you’ve gone and done it … you’ve posted an image of a Cowry. Having just written about the molluscan mantle, and talked about its ability to secrete nacre … how am I to keep from talking to you about why it is the OUTSIDE of the Cowry shell that is so shiny, rather than its inside (which is the usual case in molluscs). The answer is … that this animal essentially wears its mantle on the outside. Take a look … http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110417/Plus/plus_07.html. That stuff on the outside of the Cowry is living tissue … the mantle. It secretes nacre as the outermost layer of the shell (rather as its inner layer). This creates beautifully, shiny, shells which folks love to collect.
July 26, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Wow, I didn’t realize about the Cowrie’s mantle, that it is living tissue! Fascinating! Thanks, D!
August 1, 2016 at 9:10 am