350 On the Economical Uses of some species of Testacea^ 

 XVI. VoLUTA GRAVIS. (Linn.) — ChanJc. 



These shells form a considerable article of trade in Hindoostaoj. 

 where they are in extensive demand all over the country. They 

 are sawed into narrow rings, and are worn as ornaments for the arms, 

 legs and fingers, by +he Hindoo women. Many of them are like- 

 wise buried with the bodies of rich and distinguished persons. They 

 are fished up by the pearl divers in the Gulf of Manaar, and else- 

 where in India, in about two fathoms water. The fishery is monopo- 

 lized by government, who most commonly let the banks for as much 

 as four thousand pounds sterling per annum, but the trade is free. 

 When the Dutch held possession of Ceylon, the fishery was open to 

 all, but the trade to Bengal was a monopoly in the hands of the Com- 

 pany. A chank, opening to the right, called in Calcutta the right 

 handed chanJc, is so highly prized as sometimes to sell for four hun- 

 dred, fiv^e hundred, or even one thousand rupees, or about five 

 hundred dollars, American currency.* 



XVII. CypRiEA MoNETA. (Linn.) — Money Cowry. Hindoostanee 

 Kapardakas — Guinea Coast, Timhis. 



This little shell is indigenous both to the East Indies and the 

 western coast of Africa. In the former they are chiefly found on 

 the shores of the Lacadive and Maldive islands, and are thence im- 

 ported into Calcutta and Bombay. In both continents they are used 

 as a circulating medium, and in India they pass current in the Brit- 

 ish presidencies, but for very low values. In Calcutta two thousand 

 five hundred and sixty cowries are worth one current rupee, or about 

 fifty cents ; but there are several intermediate and nominal coins, 

 the lowest worth four of these shells. They are, however, quickly 

 disappearing from commercial transactions where Europeans are 

 settled. Previous to the abolition of the slave trade they were 

 largely imported into England, to be subsequently used in Africa, 

 and though the quantity is much diminished, they are still to be found 

 in the price currents of London and Liverpool. In Peale's museum 

 at Philadelphia, there is a singular head dress of scarlet cloth, en- 

 tirely studded with these shells, which is said to have been brought 

 from China. f 



* McCulloch's Commercial Dictionary, Article Chank. Diction. Univers. de 

 la Geogfraphie, par J. Peuchet, Art. Ceylon. 



t McCulloch's Commercial Diction. Art. Cowries and Calcutta. Martyn's 

 Hist, of the British Colonies, Vol. i. p. 357. Vol. iv. p. 589. Kelly's Univ. Cam- 

 bist, 2d Ed. Vol. i. pp. 88 and 166. 



