Seashells of Taiwan(II) FDC from Taiwan

FDC Name:Seashells of Taiwan(II)
Issue date:9th JULY 2008.
Details:

• NT$5.00: Troschel's Murex Murex troscheli .These large and unique looking spindle-shaped shells have long siphonal canals, fine brown stripes and many slender spines. Most of these spines are located on their axial ribs, where they form 120-degree angles with each other. These help them to avoid being attacked by fish or crabs.
• NT$5.00: Chiragra Spider Conch Lambis chiragra .This marine gastropod is named shuei-zi-lou (water character conch) in Chinese, because there are six thick curved "horns" extending from its lip, which make the conch resemble the Chinese character for water. They are cream colored and commonly have small brown spots, ribs and big nodules. The apertures are narrow and the lips are often pink in color. The conches are big and thick with small spires, and the six horns help them fend off their natural enemies. This interesting looking conch is nicknamed "six-footed conch" in the Taiwanese dialect.
• NT$12.00: Regal Thorny Oyster Spondylus regius.With reddish brown round bivalve shells, their exterior surfaces have six radial ribs with long and large spines and many radial ornaments covered with fine spines. The interiors of the shells are white and the rims are reddish brown.
• NT$12.00: Cymatium pyrum,Pear-shaped, Cymatium pyrum has a somewhat long siphonal canal, making it resemble the head and trunk of an elephant. Most of them are reddish brown and often feature a prominent periostracum, periostracal hair, big nodules and axial ribs. Most have a white aperture with a denticulate lip.

Remark:This is the 2nd series of "Seashells of Taiwan" issued by Taiwan post.The 1st series was issued in 2007.The stamp design is very good with good cancellation posted by my friend from Taiwan.