Fig. 108. SPIRAL SEA HOKN. 



SHELLS. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 



THE following are a few notes on those molluscs 

 which are the most closely connected with the every- 

 day life of the people. 



Tritonia is a large spiral shell, used as a musical, 

 or rather, unmusical instrument. It is capable of 

 producing the most discordant sounds ; worse even 

 than that hideous cycle-horn with which the 

 " scorching " wheelman announces his approach, and 

 scatters the terrified pedestrians. When an ill- 

 assorted marriage takes place, or one which is 

 considered to involve some scandal or disgrace, the 

 Tritonia is brought to bear, and the guilty couple are 

 treated every evening to a " serenade assourdissante." 

 Now and again the police are compelled to interfere 

 on behalf of the unoffending neighbours. 



In the country districts this primitive trumpet is 

 sometimes used by a man who sells scented flowers to 

 the distilleries. When the village children hear the 

 more or less melodious sounds, they bring out the wild 

 Jasmin flowers (Daisemin the natives call it) which 

 they have collected for traffic with the perfumery man. 



