For those of us curious at heart, such as Carla Kishinami BPBM's Vert Zoo Collections Manager.... Does anyone know what chinchilla dust is? Carla was given a demonstration on its use to speed up the drying of bird & other animal skins, and was able to purchase some in a local pet shop (don't ask why the pet shop sells it, I have no idea). She asked what it is composed of and has written the manufacturer, but has not yet received a reply. She believes that it may be a silica substance as it is a find gray powder that you sprinkle on skins. Anyone have an educated use as to its composition/and or other uses for it? This may be atopic worth discussing, so feel free to reply to the list and/or me personally and/or Carla ([log in to unmask]) Thanks for your help! Karen J. Kroslowitz phone: 808-848-4118 Natural Sciences, Malacology fax: 808-841-8968 Bernice P. Bishop Museum [log in to unmask] 1525 Bernice Street Honolulu, HI 96822 --------------------------------------------------------------------- The opinions expressed here are solely my own, and not necessarily those of Bishop Museum.