In a message dated 3/8/00 1:09:59 AM Eastern Standard Time, lcm at efn.org writes: << Abalone is a mollusk- and it has a great big shell like a conch. 'Lainie >> The shell is more like an upside down bivalve shell with one side missing. The snail shape of a conch shell is not in anyway similar despite the internal fantasies of shell deprived slugs.....:-) Ras