48 



OKHAMANDAL MARINE ZOOLOGY REPORT 



Malay Archipelago. Various places in the Dutch Indies; North Borneo, notably 

 at Labuk Bay ; the Philippines ; also in Cochin China and Southern China. 



Diving for Window-pane Oysters in Rann Bay, Okhamandal. 



ECONOMIC USES. 



The name window-pane oyster, which travellers in Southern China have given to 

 Placuna placenta, indicates the use to which this shell has been, and is even yet, put 

 in some Eastern countries. 



During the days of Portuguese rule in India, when window-glass was a scarce and 

 costly commodity, these shells were extensively used in the Portuguese settlements as a 

 substitute. Fryer recorded this in 1675 ; the custom lingers in Goa to this day. Max 

 Weber, writing in 190G, states that this window-glazing is still to be seen at Menado 

 in the Dutch Indies and also in the Philippines. In Canton and other districts of 

 Southern China, its use for the same purpose also continues ; lastly, quite recently 

 (1907) I saw a verandah at the Chinese Club at Cholori (Cochin China) roofed with these 

 shells, while in the adjacent stream which intersects this town Annamite women were 

 busy soaking and cleaning such large quantities of the valves as indicated considerable 

 demand. 



The 8hells chosen for the purpose of glazing are half-grown individuals : I should 

 judge them to be eighteen months old. After soaking some time to effect the decay of 

 the flesh, the shells are cleaned by being tossed and shaken together in baskets till all 

 dirt and roughness are removed and a translucent mica-like appearance is obtained. 



