96 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



well suited to this use. There is room for many more 

 artists in the pearl inlaying business. 



Some of the uses of shells are very odd. A recent 

 issue of a popular scientific magazine contains a de- 

 scription of the Kapas sea shells which are used as gen- 

 erally for window panes in the Phillipine Islands as we use 

 glass in this country. The publication shows a view of the 

 windows of the main entrance of the Phillipine General 

 Hospital in Manila. They are a fine example of the modern 

 use of shells. The old churches there also have magnificent 

 windows made from the Kapas shells. The shells are 

 also used in windows of stores, offices, homes, and in 

 many other buildings. In Manila alone, 5,000,000 of these 

 shells are used annually for windows. The shells are 

 almost flat bivalves six or eight inches long. The Jargest 

 will square four inches and sell at $4.00 to $5.00 per 

 thousand. The smaller shells are sold anywhere from 

 $1.50 to $3.00 per thousand, and are used for ordinary 

 purposes in dwellings and stores. The shell panes have 

 been tested and prove to be much stronger than glass. 

 The inside of the shell is glazed and has a subdued luster. 

 The shells are so thin and transparent that print can be 

 read through. As the tropical sunlight filters through the 

 silvery greyness of the shells, it becomes more gentle, 

 mellow and magnificent. The value of shells for the pur- 

 pose of making windows in the Phillipines, suggests that 

 perhaps some of the shells in the United States might 

 possibly be used for the purpose. The Symphonota com- 

 planata, or "razor-back," is large and thin and nearly 

 flat. It is found in many tints and colors and should 



