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[vic rzonca]

The Little Falls dolostone unit is of Cambrian age and rests unconformably on Precambrian rock.The Cambrian lasted 55.6 million years from the end of the preceding Ediacaran Period 541 million years ago (mya) to the beginning of the Ordovician Period 485.4 mya.The unit contains stromatolites and rare brachiopod fossils.The class Gastropoda contains a vast total of modern, named species, second only to the insects in overall number. The fossil history of this class goes back to the Late Cambrian. These gastropods have been silicified and found along with the previously posted specimen crystals. Can I assume that they were fossilized simultaneous with the quartz crystals? At any rate, they are thought provoking and rare, as mentioned in what literature I found.

[Chris Rayburn]

Vic! Welcome back. Those are some beautiful specimens. I much prefer crystals on matrix to loose crystals, and I've very seldom seen quartz specimens from that area on matrix.

[vic rzonca]

[vic rzonca]

Couple of large Quartz.

[vic rzonca]

The story behind the Seneca Turtle Clan. The formation of the Turtle Clan was told as a story about mud turtles in a small lake or pond. During an especially dry summer, the pool dried up. The turtles then had to walk to find a new source of water. One rather plump turtle had difficulty making this trip, since he was not used to exercising. The sun blistered his shell until the heat penetrated and blistered his shoulders. His pain caused him to throw off his shell. Now without his shell he was unprotected from the elements. He had to find shelter and make many changes in his life. He went through many transformations and eventually became a man. This man was said to be the progenitor of the Turtle Clan.

The Turtle Clan (A'no':wara) is one of the principal clans of the Mohawks. Turtle symbolizes our entire Earth, and therefore is associated with respect of the Earth and Earth Elements. Within the Seneca's matrilineal society women have historically been held with high regard, possessing power and responsibility to their clan and tribe. Traditionally the oldest woman of a clan, the Clan Mother, was responsible for nominating, installing, and removing chiefs. They also named all members of their clans. Clan mothers had the right to command a war party to avenge the death of a loved one or to find a suitable person to adopt.

[vic rzonca]

Spent a little time at the bench.

[Tony L. Potucek]

Good looking quartz, Vic. I like the story of the Turtle Clan, too. I am glad you are well, but we both know the secret is a wee dram of scotch on occasion, eh. Don't tell anyone.

[vic rzonca]

[vic rzonca]

Sanest place to be is on the Ridge, beating the devil out of the dolostone. Here's what he left behind.