Shell-Truitpets and thetr Distribution. 51 
In the same work and elsewhere mocauzanz, the Fasting 
Man, Ruler of the Nineteenth Day-count guzauzt/, “ Rain,” 
is figured blowing a conch-shell and associated with 7ova- 
tzuh, the Sun God. 
According to Sahagun and other authorities the 
ancient Mexicans held a special festival once or twice a 
year, on the day Nahut Olin, in honor of Tescatlipoca 
Lord of the Night, etc. At noon on each of the four days 
preceding this festival, conch-shells were blown by the 
priests, whereupon everybody, great and small, old and 
young, gashed their tongues and ears, and presented the 
the blood to the Sun—* doubtless,” says Seler,“ with the 
intention thereby to give it strength to resume its course 
in the usual way.”® The linking together of ear-piercing 
and the use of shell-trumpets in this ceremony is of con- 
siderable significance, 
It is important to note, also, the remarkable resem- 
blance to the Minoan use of the conch-shell trumpet in sum- 
moning the divinity. (See p. 33). An even more striking 
parallel is found in the Babar Is. (Malay Archipelago), 
where the sun-god is called down to accept offerings by 
means of a 7 yrz¢on-shell.” 
In the Mexican pictorial manuscript—Codex Maglia- 
becchiano—in the Florentine Biblioteca Nazionale is an 
illustration showing Yochzpillz, called by Seler the God 
_of Flowers and Food Supplies, being carried in procession 
preceded by a priest blowing a conch-shell trumpet.” 
(See Fzg. 6 on plate facing p. 52.) 
87 Seler, of. cét,, p. 185, fig. 393, and sheets 28 and 94. The shell is 
probably Fasctolaria gigantea. 
88 Seler, of. czt., ps 186. Zelia Nuttall, ‘‘A Penitential Rite of the 
Ancient Mexicans.” Arch. & Ethnol. Papers of Peabody Mus., vol. i., No. 
7, 1904, P- 4+ 
89 I am indebted to Mr. W. J. Perry for this information. 
90 Seler, of. cit., p. 162, fig. 363. The shell looks like a reversed Casszs 
cornuta. This species is common to the West Indies, Pacific Islands, etc., 
and is used as a trumpet in Papua and other Pacific Islands. 
