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| FOSSILS (Introduction) |
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| FOSSILS OF NEW CALEDONIA. |
| INTRODUCTION |
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These Old Shells everywhere found in New Caledonia and
surrounding Islands. However, it appears that it is on the mainland that their concentration has the largest number of varieties, particularly on the West Coast. It is also remarkable to note that very often these shells are present among many sections of fossilized trees often respectable dimensions. The Loyalty Islands are in when they recognized to harbor any fossilized teeth of various sharks, including those of famous Megalodon, often discovered in borders beaches after the passage of a depression or cyclone generators of very strong waves. Moreover, we find everywhere in borders coast, or during extraction of sand in quarries seashores, many shells, often in pairs, Giant Clam (Tridacnae Giga). These are highly sought after by Local Lapidary for their hard heart that, once formed, give objects (Spheres, eggs, cubes, etc.), resembling ivory. About Cowries fossils, very few shells of this species are listed. By cons, in the years 1970-1980, it was discovered in coastal borders, including Prony Bay, numerous bodies of Porcelain. The vast majority of specimens found dead, sometimes almost intact, about Nigerostrated Cowries, many questions have arisen since the cause of this mass mortality. Longevity remains unknown Porcelain/Cowries, it is unlikely that it could happen one day to unravel the mystery of his disappearance has affected these particular Species. However, it is likely that the disaster had to be done in a relatively short time period, because the degradation of a Cowry Body, in immersion or in the open air, is quite fast, if it has not been well protected. |