Shell-Trumpets and thetr Destribution. 67 
tells that in the New Hebrides there is a tradition that 
the first woman sprang from a cowry-shell; there is also 
a family named after the Octopus. 
Nor is this strange “Shell-God” idea confined to the 
Far East. There is the ancient legend of the birth of 
Venus from a sea-shell. The representation of shells on 
the coins of ancient nations’ affords evidence of the 
prevalence of similar ideas in the Mediterranean region. 
Even in the Christian architecture of this city the same 
curious symbolism is depicted. In an account on the 
“Misereres in Manchester Cathedral,” ™ the Rev. E. F. Letts 
figures and describes a series of elaborate carvings under 
the stall seats portraying numerous fabulous animals in a 
variety of ingenious and grotesque forms. Included 
amongst them is one carving of peculiar interest from its 
bearing upon the matter under discussion. This singular 
subject is to be seen on the under-master’s stall, and re- 
presents a mermaid or female child emerging from a 
conch-shell and in the act of thrusting a spear down the 
throat of a terrible horned dragon, whose agony is well 
represented in the convolutions of its tail. Letts says: 
“T find the subject of children emerging from shells and 
fighting beasts is a common one, and represents purity 
conquering sin.” 
Another remarkable association of the conch-shell 
and the dragon is to be seen as the crest over a coat of 
arms of Robert Venables, of Antrobus, 1663 (also 1566 
and 1580); but here it is the dragon which is emerging 
from the mouth of the shell. This is figured by W. H. 
Rylands ina communication on “ Some Cheshire Heraldic 
Documents, from the Ashmole Manuscripts.”™ 
119 The shells on these coins undoubtedly represent sacred objects and 
the symbol a cult. 
120 Trans. Lanc. and Chesh. Antig. Soc., vol. iv., 1886, p. 142. 
121 Tyans. Hist. Soc. Lanc. and Ches., vol. \xii. (N.S. vol. xxvi.)., 
Liverpool, 1911, p. 122. 
