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Hello Angela, I think you're right -- you don't need a palaeontologist, you need a mineralogist! This certainly looks like it is a mineral vein running through some limestone or sandstone (although it is notoriously difficult to tell from pictures). If you drop acid on the whitish bit, you will be able to tell if the mineral is calcite or not (calcite fizzes in acid) -- vinegar should do the trick! All the best, David Dr. David M. Waterhouse BSc (hons) PGCE MSc Assistant Curator of Natural History (Acting Curator of Geology) Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service The Shirehall, Market Avenue Norwich NR1 3JQ, Norfolk Telephone: (+44) (0) 1603 495883 Facsimile: (+44) (0) 1603 493623 E-mail:[log in to unmask] General Secretary of The Geological Society of Norfolk http://www.norfolkgeology.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Angela Smith Sent: 02 December 2010 14:48 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Ident enquiry Hi Could anybody please identify this? A visitor has just brought it in for identification, but we don't have a paleontologist here. We are wondering whether it could be mineral deposits rather than fossil teeth. It was found in Sandymouth Bay, Bude. Any comments or information would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks and best wishes Angela Angela Smith Documentation and ICT Officer __________________________________________________________________ Gloucester Museums Service T: 01452 396119 Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery F: 01452 410898 Brunswick Road <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Gloucester <http://www.gloucester.gov.uk/museums> www.gloucester.gov.uk/museums GL1 1HP The information contained in this email is intended only for the person or organization to which it is addressed. If you have received it by mistake, please disregard and notify the sender immediately. Unauthorized disclosure or use of such information may be a breach of legislation or confidentiality and may be legally privileged. Emails sent from and received by Members and employees of Norfolk County Council may be monitored. They may also be disclosed to other people under legislation, particularly the Freedom Of Information Act 2000. Unless this email relates to Norfolk County Council business it will be regarded by the Council as personal and will not be authorized by or sent on behalf of the Council. The sender will have sole responsibility for any legal actions or disputes that may arise.