Use of Cowry-shells for Currency, Amutets, etc. 163 
ployed by the Jebu tribe of the west coast. The shells 
are strung together in varying numbers, odd numbers, as 
a rule, being of evil import, while even numbers express 
good will. A single cowry may be sent as an unfavour- 
able answer to a request or message. In some cases other 
substances besides cowries are included in the aroko or 
symbolic letters. Thus we find pieces of spice, a piece of 
mat, and a feather, introduced for the purpose of convey- 
ing some significant idea. (See /7g. A, p. 162). 
This method of employing cowrtes for the purpose of 
conveying certain ideas is of interest in connection with 
discoveries made in Egypt of knotted cords with the same 
cowries, papyrus charm pendants, uzat eyes, etc., attached. 
Several of these cords are figured by Petrie! in his book 
on “ Amulets,” all from Kafr Ammar, xxili-xxvth dynasty. 
He places the objects among amulets for protection and 
says no explanation of their meaning is known in Egypt. 
(See Figs. B & C, p. 162.) 
The history of the cowry in Africa may be concluded 
with a few remarks on its use in Benin and about the 
lower Niger. Dennett, speaking of the customs of the 
* informs us that “the people swear by licking and 
Bini,” 
touching stones, iron, cowries, bits of twisted rope, and the 
crushed leaves of a plant, asking these things to kill them 
if they are not telling the truth.” According to the same 
autherity, every great house has an altar to Olukun—the 
river spirit of Olukun or Great Benin river—in or near to 
which is a pot of water, cowries (Igo) and a heap of other 
objects. At Ewesi, not far from the Sobo plains, is a 
temple to Olukun, in which are very old wooden figures 
(like those into which nails are driven in the Congo) 
covered with cowries and other objects. In front of the 
119 W. M. Flinders Petrie, ‘‘ Amulets,’”? London, 1914, p. 29, No. 131, 
pl. -xvii.—xix. 
IME OenneLt Ope zt. pe LOB 
