Shell-Trumpets and thetr Distribution. 
op) 
VL 
In another Ligurian cave, the Grotta di Bergeggi, a 
Murex trunculus pierced at the apex was found.” 
In excavating the Minoan Sanctuary of Cannatello, 
near Girgenti, Mosso also found pieces of the 77zton.* 
In speaking of the 7yztox shells found in the neolithic 
caves of Liguria (see above), Mosso states that they are 
too numerous for them to have been used for signals, but 
“the fact that they are found associated with human 
bones gives reason to suppose that even in neolithic times 
these shells were sounded with a religious signification, 
as we see on the Minoan seals of Crete.” * 
Amongst the various species of shells used as trumpets, 
the chank-shell (Zurdznella pyrum) is of special interest 
from its intimate connection with the religion of Hindus 
and Buddhists. 
In a brief paper on “The Aztec Moon-cult and its 
relation to the Chank-cult of India,’ °** I have already 
referred to the association of the chank with the Hindu 
geod, Vishnu, and his many incarnations. 
The whole subject of Hindu chank-cult has been 
recently treated ina most admirable manner by James 
Hornell in “ The Sacred Chank of India,” ?® and much 
of the following information is derived from his excellent 
work, 
In Hindu temple worship, Hornell tells us, “the 
chank fulfils important service. The ordinary and sinis- 
tral forms are both employed whenever the temple 
possesses them. The former is used in the menial duty 
of summoning the god’s attention, announcing the com- 
mencement of the principal rites, as well as in calling the 
=> T, E. Peet, **‘ The Stone and Bronze Ages in Italy,” 1909, p. 54. 
26 Mosso, of. cz¢., 1910, p. 364. 
2 OG7a Ds) 308. 
28 Manch. Memotrs (Lit. and Phil. Soc.), vol, 60, pt. ii., 1916. 
*9 Madras Fisheries Publication, No. 7, 1914. 
