Hello, I am a new member to this mailing list. I don't really know that much about conchs. The main reason I joined this list is to learn the answer to the following question:

While I was in the Bahamas recently I noticed that the fishermen who were extracting and cleaning the conchs from their shells were pulling this "thing" out of the conch and eating it raw. The thing was cylindrical with the diameter of a piece of wire, and about 6 inches long. It appeared to be relatively clear, perhaps a little yellowish. When I asked them what it was they just smiled and said it was an aphrodisiac... so what is this "thing?"

Thanks!

--Jeff

Jeff Schodorf MIT Lincoln Laboratory 244 Wood St. Lexington, MA 02420