About Seashells

Seashells hold special appeal for everyone from the casual collector to the dedicated scientist. The mollusks that inhabit these seashells live in the depths of the sea, and create simply stunning and unusual homes for themselves against amazing odds. The underwater world of the sea can be a harsh and unforgiving environment, yet these lowly mollusks build a hard, protective structure for themselves that continues to intrigue and delight.

Seashells are the hard, outer covering of any marine mollusk, and marine mollusks are the soft slug-like creatures that live inside these seashells.

Seashells have been around for millions of years. They have been found in virtually every part of the world and exist in early fossilized versions and the much younger species that we find today.

Throughout history, seashells have been used for tools, decoration, currency and jewelry. In addition, seashells have been the central subject for numerous authors and poets for centuries.

Unfortunately, many seashell species are becoming increasingly difficult to find in today’s world.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

THERE'S A PRETTY LITTLE LEGEND
THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL
OF THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF JESUS
FOUND IN THIS LOWLY SHELL

IF YOU EXAMINE CLOSELY
YOU'LL SEE THAT YOU FIND HERE
FOUR NAIL HOLES AND A FIFTH ONE
MADE BY A ROMAN'S SPEAR

ON ONE SIDE THE EASTER LILY
ITS CENTER IS THE STAR
THAT APPEARED UNTO THE SHEPHERDS
AND LED THEM FROM AFAR

THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA
ETCHED ON THE OTHER SIDE
REMINDS US OF HIS BIRTHDAY
OUR HAPPY CHRISTMASTIDE

NOW BREAK THE CENTER OPEN
AND HERE YOU WILL RELEASE
THE FIVE WHITE DOVES AWAITING
TO SPREAD GOOD WILL AND PEACE

THIS SIMPLE LITTLE SYMBOL
CHRIST LEFT FOR YOU AND ME
TO HELP US SPREAD HIS GOSPEL
THROUGH ALL ETERNITY