MOLLUSCA. 



159 



making bangles, or armlets and anklets, the manu- 

 facture of which is almost confined to Dacca. The 

 solid porcellanous shell is sliced into segments of 

 circles, or narrow rings of various sizes, by a rude 

 semicircular saw. The bangles thus constructed are 

 worn by the Hindoo women; they are beautifully 

 coloured, gilded, and often ornamented with precious 

 stones (Fig. 18). 



These same Turbinella shells are also used fre- 

 quently as oil- vessels in the Indian temples, for which 

 purpose they are carved and ornamented. 



FIG. 18. Hindoo Bangle, made from the Chank-shell. 

 a. Segment of the shell, d. Segments united to form a bangle or bracelet. 



In Dacca, on account of its weight and smooth- 

 ness, the shell of Turbinella pyrum is used for 

 calendering or glazing, and in Nepal for giving a 

 polished surface to paper. 



The value of these shells imported in the rough 

 state into Madras and Calcutta, from the 30th of 

 April, 1851, to the 30th of April, 1859, is repre- 



