140 WEST COAST SHELLS 



Stand that our Indians used to value these shells 

 quite highly, that they used strings of them for orna- 

 ment or for money, and that they have been fre- 

 quently found in old mounds and graves. But it is 

 not necessary for us to read French to learn all about 

 this primitive money. Go to any good public library 

 and ask for the Report of the National Museum for 

 1887 and turn to page 297. There you will find a 

 delightful article on "Ethno-Conchology," written by 

 our own Dr. Stearns, which begins as follows: "The 

 study of Nature leads through enchanted fields, full 

 of new surprises and fresh delights. Whichever path 

 we pursue, vistas open on either side equally inviting, 

 with every charm of life and form and color, ever 

 changing but never old." * >k * "Conchology, or 

 the study of shells, in itself one of the most delight- 

 ful studies, in its ethnical aspect is also full of inter- 

 est." The article fills about forty pages and has a 

 number of plates, showing both western and east- 

 ern shells that have been used by the aborigines for 

 the making of beads and strings of money. There 

 are many treasures hidden away in these old Govern- 

 ment reports that ought to be looked up by our 

 bright boys and girls, who will find them to be a per- 

 fect mine of information. 



As I proceeded with my hoeing my joy increased, 

 for I found the pretty shells by the hundred, and I 

 had gathered about a thousand when the tide came in 

 so far as to render further work impracticable. They 

 seemed to lie in groups just under the surface of the 

 sand, yet wholly concealed from sight. You must go 

 at the very lowest morning tides, if you wish to 



