Industrial and Manufacturing Uses of Shells. 291 



The introduction of circular saws has been attempted 

 by some European gentlemen, but sturdily resisted by the 

 natives despite their obvious advantages. Some of these 

 bangles, worn by the Hindoo women, are beautifully 

 painted, gilded, and ornamented with gems. The shell 

 rings are coated inside with plaster to smooth the rough- 

 ness. 



Filagree-bordered edges of plaster are also added ; 

 patterns and devices of red, blue, and gold are figured on 

 them, and they are further ornamented with silver or gold 

 tinsel, spangles, small coloured glass beads, etc. The larger 

 bracelets, formed of many segments, are made to open to 



FIG. 21. 



Segment of shell, and bangle or ornamented bracelet of united segments. 



admit the hand, by two spiral pins, which unscrew and let 

 out the piece. These bangles are not removed at death, 

 and hence there is a continual demand for them, many 

 wearing several, both on the legs and arms. 



These sankka* or shell bracelets, are extensively made 

 for the women of the hills round Sylhet at Dacca, which has 

 long been celebrated for the manufacture of such bracelets. 

 Four of these shell rings are worn on each wrist. The 

 skakhds, or shell workers at Dacca, distinguish the several 



* The native word is variously written Sungoo or Sankka, Tamil ; Shentoo 

 or Sinkham, Telugu. 



