Appendir. 205 
excavations in the Soudan Mr. F. LI. Griffith found large 
numbers of cowries and metallic representations of cowries 
in graves at Napata and elsewhere, which are referred to 
Early Christian and pre-Christian times. Many of these 
cowries were rubbed down in the way so often mentioned 
in this book. 
An interesting addition to the series of localities where 
the cowry is put to a cultural use is furnished by Ellis 
H. Minns, in his “ Greeks and Scythians.” * In describing 
the contents of ancient Scythian graves in the Kiev dis- 
trict, he says: “Those who could not afford the precious 
metals used beads, either home-made of clay or stone, or 
of glass imported from the Mediterranean area; even 
cowrie shells found their way so far north.” 
In his account of “Some Japanese Charms connected 
with the Making of Clothing,”*” W. L Hildburgh states 
that “a plentiful supply of clothing and the securing of 
good-fortune in general is thought to be assured by the 
placing of a cowry-shell (kovasugat) with the laid-away 
clothing, because, according to [his] informant, of the 
kovyasugaz’s well- known significance as a symbol of good 
fortune, or by the placing of obscene pictures with the 
clothing.” In further explanation of this remarkable 
custom he adds:—“I have been told by an informant 
from. another part of Japan that people wishing to be 
lucky in lotteries sometimes carry pictures of the vulva 
(of which the cowry-shell noted above is a well-recognised 
image).” (See also antea, p. 183). 
These additional scraps of information serve to 
emphasise the general conclusions that emerge quite 
definitely from the mass of data impartially set forth in 
this book. All the cultural uses of shells are intimately 
related the one to the other. In whatever part of the 
world shells are employed for such purposes, the same 
peculiar and wholly arbitrary significance is attached to 
them. They confer the blessings of fertility in women 
and crops. They cure sterility and facilitate parturition. 
They bring good-luck in games and more serious enter- 
prises. They avert the evil eye. They secure the preser- 
vation of the dead and bring resurrection and life. They 
28 Cambridge, 1913, p. 64, quoting Count A. A. Bokri:skoj, ** Sméla,” 
Ales) Wess 
29 Marz, Kel)., 1917, 17: 
