ibipijBments and utensils. 



UNWORKED SHELLS. 



Some writers have suggested that the ancient peoples of the interior 

 districts must have held shells from the sea in especial esteem, not only 

 on account of their rarity, but also by reason of some sacred properties 

 that had, from the mystery of their origin, become attached to them. It 

 would appear, however, that shells were valued chiefly for their utility 

 and beauty, and that fresh water as well as marine varieties were con- 

 stantly employed. lu their unworked state, for their beauty alone, 

 they are treasured by peoples in all grades of culture, from the savage 

 up through the barbarian stages to the most civilized state. As they 

 are most conveniently shaped for utensils and implements, they have 

 been of great service in the arts, and were thus of the greatest impor- 

 tance to primitive peoples. 



It must not be supposed that the natural shells found in graves were 

 always destined for use in an unworked state, but they should doubtless 

 in many cases be regarded as highly-valued raw material intended for 

 use in the manufacture of articles of utility and taste, in the tempering 

 of potter's clay, or iu effecting exchanges with neighboring tribes. 



As vessels for food and drink, and as cups for jiaint, many species 

 are most conveniently shaped. Good examples may be found in the 

 Haliotis, so plentiful on the Pacific coast, the Helcioniscus of the Pacific 

 islands, the Paftelitlw of Central and South America, or the Pecten of 

 many seas. 



In their natural state they have a twofold interest to us — as utensils 

 they are the forerunners of many more elaborate forms that have been 

 evolved in more advanced stages of culture, and in their distribution 

 they give us important insiglit into the commerce and migrations of 

 their aboriginal owners. 



Pectens. — The Pectens are very widely distributed, and ou account of 

 their beauty of form and color have been in great favor with all peoples. 

 They figure iu the lieraldic devices of the Middle Ages and in the sym- 

 bolic paintings of the ancient Mexicans. They have been employed 

 extensively by the ancient inhabitants of America as ornaments and 

 rattles, and many examples exhumed from graves, mounds, and refuse 

 heaps appear to have been used as utensils, cups for paint, and vessels 

 for food and drink. They are especially plentiful in the cemeteries of 

 the ancient Californians, from which Schumacher and Bowers have made 

 excellent collections, and specimens may be found in the great museums 



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