Twait shad destruction. Conservation of this species is covered by Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Appendix II and V of the European Community Habitats Directive. The twait shad is a typical herring-type fish and much resembles the allis shad. It has no lateral line and the belly is more rounded than that of the sprat and Baltic herring. The gill cover is ridged and the caudal peduncle has large, plate-like scales. This fish is more colourful than the Baltic herring. The back is a bluish green colour and the head brownish with a golden tinge on the operculum. The flanks
Operculum (gastropod) the shell of "Charonia tritonis" is a seal made by the Minoan civilization. Opercula of certain gastropods, especially varieties from the Red Sea, have long served as an incense material in ancient Jewish tradition, as well as Arabian cultures. The operculum of conch species "Strombus tricornis" and "Lambis truncata sebae" are most commonly used in regions near the Middle East. Opercula from these conches may be the onycha incense material which is described in the Book of Exodus. Operculum powder is also an important ingredient in Chinese and Japanese incense making. Here it is called ""bèi xiāng"" (Chinese: 貝香; "lit."