the shell is believed to have the ability to chase away evil spirits
and is usually attached to a small piece of rock
with stalked or branching bodies and a large number of thin filaments
Mushrooms are considered 'phase shift' corals
along with its close relatives
Left-handed Whelk 8-9" shell the shell is believed toThe Lightning Whelk, Sinistrofulgur sinistrum (Hollister, 1958), is one of the local molluscan celebrities, not only because of its large size, but also thanks to very special features that make this species truly remarkable. For instance, unlike most gastropods, which are right handed, the Lightning Whelk has a left handed shell (shell opening to the right with shell spire pointing up). Abnormally right handed Lightning Whelks are very uncommon, but