38 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
The chank is frequently employed upon native-owned 
plantations in South India and Ceylon to summon the 
workpeople to their duties. 
In the Laccadive Islands it is used to call the people 
together in cases of emergency and public requirements.” 
In addition to the use of the chank, 7urdbinella prrum, 
as a trumpet in India, T. Wilson, in his “ Prehistoric 
Art,”* mentions other trumpets made from Cassis, or 
helmet shell (called Gomukha) and from Per ecera (called 
Barataka), 
Speaking of the use of shell-trumpets in Ceylon, 
Lovell® states, “ According to the most ancient annals 
of the Cingalese, the chank-shell is sounded in one of the 
superior heavens of the demigods (similar to the conch- 
blowing tritons of Grecian mythology) in honour of 
Buddha, as often as the latter wanders abroad on the 
earth.’ Hornell® also says, “In the purer Buddhism of 
Ceylon the chank cult also finds place, and figures promi- 
nently among the musical instruments employed to lend 
eclat to the periodic procession (ferahera) of the tooth- 
relic at Kandy.” 
In Thibet, according to the writings of travellers in 
that country, the call of the chank is amongst the most 
familiar sounds to be heard in the monasteries and 
temples of the Lamaistic faith. It is also the custom to 
sound the chank as the body of a deceased monk or nun 
is being conveyed from the place where death occurred.” 
Chank-shells, especially sinistral specimens, are held 
in special veneration by the Chinese, and are kept in the 
Pagodas by the priests for use on special occasions. 
‘© Sbid. p, 172. 
“* Rept. U.S. Nat. Alus, for 1896 (1808), p. 555- 
** Lovell, of. eff, p. 195. 
’ Hornell, of, c#., p. 137. 
‘* Jbid. pp. 137 and 149. 
——. 
