278 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



reticulata. Cameos are sometimes traced on the back of the 

 blue-back cowry (Cyprcea moneta), and when linked together 

 make very neat bracelets. Cowries are sometimes used for 

 making an enamel for clock-faces and a glaze for plates. 



Cowries are largely dealt in for exchange purposes, and 

 are shipped in quantities to West Africa. They are chosen 

 for their bright enamel, small, even size, and not being 

 mixed with spurious shells. Maldive cowries fetch from 

 1 2s. to 3 5 s. the cwt. ; Dacca and Cuttack cowries, 6s. to 

 22s. 6d. the cwt. ; but common blue and dead shells, that is, 

 those with no gloss or enamel, are only worth $s. 6d. to 1 $s. 

 the cwt. 



Cowries form no inconsiderable item in trade, two of 

 the smaller white species being collected for use as a circu- 

 lating medium, the true money cowry (Cyprea monetd) and 

 the false or ring cowry (C. annula) passing current in 

 many parts of Africa as mediums of exchange. One 

 Hamburg house sends annually 14 vessels to Zanzibar for 

 cargoes of cowries, with which they proceed to the rivers 

 on the west coast of Africa, and purchase cargoes of palm 

 oil or other produce. The following shows the imports of 

 cowries into the port of Lagos alone, and a duty is levied 

 on them of one shilling per cwt. : 



Cwts. 



1868 ... ... ... ... 65,496 



1869 ... ... .., ... 56,040 



1870 ... ... ... ... 50,340 



Their relative currency value varies in different localities. 

 In British India about 4000 pass for a shilling, and the 

 erection of a church, which cost ^"4000, is said to have been 

 paid for entirely with cowries. The ordinary gradation or 

 value on the West coast of Africa is as follows : 



40 cowries = I string. 



24 strings = id. 

 100 cowries = id. 



