New Zealand Seashore

IMG_1752 Etched chiton, or papatua (Onithochiton neglectus subantarcticus) detail of rows of eyes. Chitons are the only molluscs that have living tissue within their hard shell. Unlike the eyes of almost every other living creature, the eyes of chitons are made of the mineral argonite, a crystal form of calcium carbonate, which forms the rest of their shell. Brighton Beach *

IMG1752Etched chitonTree ring chitonpapatuaOnithochitonneglectussubantarcticusdetailrowseyesargonitecrystal formcalcium carbonateshellBrighton Beach