xii hitroditction. 



and some of the magical powers associated with shells 

 were also transferred to pearls. 



Pearl-like bodies are obtained from a considerable 

 number of shells in addition to those of the pearl oyster : 

 and it is significant that a special cultural importance 

 came to be attached to most, if not all of them. 



Of these the Abalone {Haliotis), the classical designa- 

 tion of which is " Ear of Venus," is used for ornament and 

 currency. Its resemblance to a human ear and the serial 

 arrangement of the perforations near its margin suggest 

 the possibility that the custom of piercing the helix in a 

 linear series may have some connexion with this likeness. 



It is all the more suggestive when this method of 

 perforation is found in association with the use of an ear- 

 pendant made of Haliotis shell.* Strombus gigas (the 

 common conch), which is used as a ceremonial trumpet, 

 produces pink pearls ; and Turbinella pyruin (the Indian 

 chank), which is the trumpet and libation-vessel of India, 

 Thibet and China, has pink and pale red pearls. Another 

 of this series is Tridacna gigas (Giant Clam), which is 

 used in Oceania as well as in the West Indies for 

 making axes and other tools, and in certain Christian 

 churches in Europe as receptacles for ' holy water.' Venus 

 vierceiiaria (Ouahog or Hard Clam) is used for making 

 shell money " Wampum " in North America. Nautilus 

 pompilius is cut up and used for ornament and as eyes 

 for Torres Straits mummies. It is also used as a drinking 

 vessel in India and elsewhere. 



If one asks the question how did these remarkable 

 qualities come to be attributed to certain shells, the answer 

 is plainly given by the collection of data brought together 

 by Mr. Jackson. 



The whole of the complex shell-cult seems to have 



^ " Handbook of American Indians," Vol. I, p. 17. 



