Treasure on the Shoreline

It was sunny, if a little chilly, when Mrs CBL and I walked along the shoreline this afternoon.  

Occasionally there a little treasures to be found on the beach and this mermaid’s purse was a prized find, especially as it was in such good condition.

A mermaid’s purse (egg capsule) is a tough leathery pouch that protects a developing shark or skate embryo.  The purses are initially laid by the adult female in a suitable habitat on the seafloor, with the young embryo developing from the egg within the case for up to 15 months.