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Science 7 October 1966:
Vol. 154. no. 3745, pp. 153 - 155
DOI: 10.1126/science.154.3745.153
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Articles

Pholidostrophiid Brachiopods: Origin of the Nacreous Luster

Kenneth M. Towe 1 and Charles W. Harper Jr. 2

1 Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560
2 Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,D.C. 20560; Department of Geology, University of Oklahoma, Norman 73069.

The "nacreous" luster characteristic of the pholidostrophiid group of fossil brachiopods results from a shell structure that produces superimposed sets of natural optical-diffraction gratings made of calcite. The wall structure is crossed lamellar, parallel to the shell surfdce; thus flakiness and development of reflecting surfaces are facilitated.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
A geological history of reflecting optics.
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Tentaculites: Evidence for a Brachiopod Affinity?.
K. M. Towe and K. M. TOWE (1978)
Science 201, 626-628
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)