idly through the usual rules, but pauses at the reduction of fractions to hold up the 

 avaricious man to scorn : ' The quarter of a sixteenth of the fifth of three-quarters 

 of two-thirds of a moiety of a dramma was given to a beggar by a person from 

 whom he asked aims ; tell me how many cowry shells the miser gave, if thou be 

 conversant in arithmetic with the reduction termed subdivision of fractions.' '" 

 These shells are also known as " Guinea money," and, it is said, have been used 

 as a financial medium in connection with the African slave-trade. Doubtless 

 many a poor negro has been sold, and has lost his liberty, for a greater or less 

 number of these shells. 



Another species of am-rij ot small size, and which inhabits the Indu- Pacific 

 province, called the " ringed cowry " {Cypma amndus), the back or top of the 

 shell being ornamented with an orange-colored ring, " is used by the Asiatic 

 islanders to adorn their dress, to weight their fishing-nets, and for barter. Spec- 

 imens of it were found by Dr. Layard in the ruins of Nimroud." 



According to the relation of a recent voyage, transactions are performed in 

 Soudan by barter, or by means of small shells picked up in the Niger, which 

 are called oudaas or woodahs.* 



It will be seen, therefore, that shells have been and are still used as money by 

 portions of the human race, but to an extent much less than formerly. It would 

 be quite difiBcult to point out any other natural production which is more ap- 

 propriate, when size, shape and substance are considered. 



* Science Gossip), Dec, 1866, p. 283. 



