Shell-Trumpets and thetr Distribution. Al 
There is a 7yz¢on-trumpet in the British Museum from 
the mouth of the Fly River, British New Guinea, which, 
according to Chalmers, is used for calling to arms and for 
frightening away the evil spirits of sickness from the 
village.” 
W. H.R. Rivers, in his work on “The History of 
’ 
Melanesian Society ”™ tells us that the conch-shell is one 
of the objects used in Banks Islands, in the ritual of 
initiation into the Svwfwe. On the initiation of a candi- 
date into Kwatagzav, the conch-shell is blown five times, 
three long continuous blasts and two interrupted blasts, 
It is also used at initiation into the Zamate fwoa. In 
Vorres Islands the conch is blown at ceremonies of kava 
drinking.” 
From the same authority we learn that “the conch- 
shell exists in two forms in Melanesia, one blown by means 
of a circular hole in the side, and the other blown at 
the end. The former is that used at the Swkwe and 
in most parts of Melanesia, and this form is also in 
general use in Polynesia. Its occurrence in Polynesia 
points to its ascription either to the kava-people or 
to the people who interred their dead in the sitting 
position, and there is reason to suppose that it was of 
especial importance in connection with the chiefs. It may 
also be noted that, in Malikolo, it is used at the funerals 
of chiefs. This connection with chiefs both in Polynesia 
and southern Melanesia, suggests that it was the kava- 
people who brought with them the use of the conch, a 
conclusion in harmony with its prominence in the ritual 
of the Sukwe. 
“In the Solomons, however, the conch is of especial 
importance in connection with head-hunting. It is used 
5* Haddon, of. czt., p. 283. 
°3 2 vols., Cambridge, 1914. 
54 Rivers, op. czz., 1., pp. 64, 98, 186. 
