J O'C wrote: >>I was somewhat bemused to an unusual rendition of Michaelangelo's statue of >>David (Florence, Italy) on the worldlab99 website >>http://www.worldlab99.it/frames.htm The iconic representation of David is >>gracefully restricted to the neck up. 21 participants responded to this case. 4 would measure GH serially on the same specimen, to see if it correlated with craniometry. 7 queried fluctuant macroangelopathy 8 would give statins, presumably to keep things constant, although they were unable to agree on the quantitive risk, or the fraction of the population who should be treated. 1 would perform head space analysis. Several laboratories reported that they had recently given up stone analysis and now sent all specimens to another laboratory. AssayFinder has 5 laboratories offering this. The IT Group reviewed classification systems. It appeared that there was a widely used American system (see footnote), but the European body responsible (as opposed to the responsible European body) had attempted to produce a better system. The report was not available, but BA and the Belgian Hoteliers Association wished to express their appreciation. 1 radiologist who joined the mail group by mistake put in a business case for a new cranial CT scanner. Although the current one was only two years old he'd been to a conference where a manufacturer had told him it was now out-dated. I concluded that this must be relapsing osteopetrosis (check the synonyms). I recommended that no further biochemical investigations were appropriate and would 'phone the GP to suggest that this should be handled by clinical judgment (but that's what I always say.) Jonathan Kay Footnote on classification 1) MARBLE (Subheading 6802.91) v. LIMESTONE (Subheading 6802.92): Geologists regard limestone and marble as distinct geological entities. Admittedly, the two stones have a similar chemical composition, since the principal component in both limestone and marble is calcium carbonate. However, marble and limestone are physically very different. Marble is limestone which has been recrystallized. The process of recrystallization makes limestone and marble two distinct stones. Numerous rulings issued by Customs Headquarters have held that geological definitions of stone must be followed under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Although polished limestone (or limestone capable of taking a polish) is often called "marble" in the trade, Headquarters has ruled that it is classifiable as other calcareous stone in subheading 6802.92.00, HTS, not as marble in subheading 6802.91. Since geological definitions govern the classification of stone under the HTS and these two stones are regarded as distinct geological entities, limestone may not be classified as marble. Since polished limestone (or limestone capable of taking a polish) is often referred to in the trade as "marble," limestone is often invoiced as marble and importers frequently enter limestone incorrectly as marble in subheading 6802.91, HTS. However, Customs does not equate limestone capable of taking a polish with marble. The crucial factor in the classification of limestone is its geological nature. Limestone (classifiable in subheading 6802.92) and marble (classifiable in subheading 6802.91) are two geologically distinct stones because of the physical difference between them. Since marble (a metamorphic rock) is formed when limestone recrystallizes in the earth over a long period of time, marble is a much more crystalline stone than limestone. On the other hand, limestone is a sedimentary rock which contains a higher percentage of fossil material. Since limestone is frequently entered incorrectly as marble, we send samples of products entered as marble to the U.S. Customs laboratory for analysis. In some cases, the laboratory will find that it does not have the degree of crystallinity required of genuine marble. When laboratory analysis reveals that a specific stone has been entered incorrectly as marble, the Import Specialist will issue a rate advance notice and advise the importer regarding the correct classification for this item. (2) MARBLE (Subheading 6802.91) v. SERPENTINE (Subheadings 6802.99 and 7116.20) Serpentine is sometimes referred to as "marble" in the trade. However, serpentine and marble are geologically distinct. As explained above, limestone and marble are regarded as different geological entities because of the great physical difference between these two stones. Serpentine is geologically distinct from marble because its chemical composition is different. While the principal component of marble is calcium carbonate, the principal component of serpentine is magnesium silicate. Marble and serpentine are two totally different stones. Therefore, serpentine may not be classified as marble in subheading 6802.91 even though it is often called "marble" in the trade. Building stone (slabs and tiles) of serpentine is classifiable in subheading 6802.99.00, HTS, as other monumental or building stone. (Subheading 6802.92 is not applicable because serpentine is not a calcareous stone.) %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%