332 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



southern states. That certain of these mollusks were 

 highly esteemed is shown by the number of fragments and 

 finished objects made from at least one of these marine 

 snails. It is probable that the canoes of the more south- 

 ern tribes ascended the Mississippi River and barter was 

 carried on between them and the Cahokia Indians. 



Busycon perversa (Linn.). Marine Conch. 



This mollusk, so common on the Gulf and Atlantic coast 

 of the United States, is the most abundant snail in the 

 Cahokia Mounds. Hundreds of specimens of the heavy 

 axis occurred in the James Ramey Mound from top to 

 bottom. This part evidently was used to make a drill, 

 and it may also have been used for ornamental purposes. 

 Beads, nose and ear ornaments, and gorgets were made 

 from parts of this shell. A dipper made from the body 

 whorl of this species was found in burial mounds 19, 20, 

 21. A gorget made from the side of the body whorl was 

 found in the Sawmill Mound with skeleton No. 10. 



Busycon carica (Gmelin). Marine Conch. Two speci- 

 mens of this species were found in the James Ramey 

 Mound. 



Busycon pyrum (Dillwyn). Marine Conch. One speci- 

 men of this small conch was found in the James Ramey 

 Mound. 



Strombus pugilis alatus Gmelin. Stromb Conch. One 

 perfect specimen and a fragment of this species were 

 found in the James Ramey Mound. Used as nose or ear 

 ornament. 



Fasciolaria gigaiitca Kiener. A portion of the axis of 

 this largest of American marine snails was found in the 

 James Ramey Mound. 



Fasciolaria distans Lamarck. A single specimen of 

 this Banded Snail occurred in the James Ramey Mound. 

 Its probable use was not indicated. 



Oliva litter at a Lamarck. Olive Shell. The spire of 

 this specimen had been removed and it might have been 

 used as a bead or as a pendant from a string of beads. 

 From the James Ramey Mound. 



Littorina irrorata Say. Periwinkle. A single perfect 

 specimen was found in the James Ramey Mound. Its 

 use was not indicated. 



