57 
the shells from each locality are kept and sold sepa- 
rate during the first series of wholesale transactions. 
Among the wholesalers at least eleven varieties and 
qualities are recognized. “Chey may be summarized as 
under :— 
1. Tutikkuddi.—Shells obtained from the Madras 
Government fishery off the coast of Tinnevelly. These 
form the finest and most valued quality from which the 
choicest bracelets are manufactured. They are marked 
by a well-balanced and elegant form, neither squat (as in 
the Negapatam or Tanjore type) nor greatly elongate 
(sub-fusiform) as in shells from the Andamans. The 
regular and gradual increase in the size of the whorls 
enables this form of shell to be cut to the greatest advant- 
age, and gives a maximum number of sections. The 
shell is of a perfect opalescent whiteness and of great hard- 
ness and evenness of texture, which render it susceptible 
of a high polish. 
In seasons previous to 1909-10, when the Calcutta 
buying combine were able to buy these shells practically 
at their own price, they were disposed of wholesale by 
these men at from Rs. 35 to Rs. 38 per bag of 250 shells 
or Rs. 140 to Rs. 152 per 1,000, on credit terms, 
2. Kamessari.— These are the shells fished off Kila- 
karai and the island of Ramésvaram under license from 
the Ramnad zamindari, The quality approaches that of 
Tuticorin very closely but is esteemed slightly inferior, 
and fetches about Re. 1 to Rs. 2 Jess per 100, not so much 
in respect of the quality of the individual shell as because 
of the larger number of smaller grade shells present, due 
to lack of fishery regulations designed to safeguard the 
immature. Good selections however wil! at times fetch 
prices equal to those of Tuticorin shells and by one of 
the tricks of the trade, these shells appear to be lumped 
frequently with Tuticorin shells as of equal quality in 
sales made to the bracelet cutters in outlying villages, as 
these men appear not to know of the existence of this 
grade and of the slight difference in quality between it 
and that of Tuticorin. 
3. Jammarpatti.—An inferior quality of Ramnad 
shell fished off the mainland to the north of Mandapam—— 
thence te Tondi. An inferior shell, small and of poor 
quality, price about Rs. 50 to Rs, 60 per 1,000. 
