SOME ETHNOGRAPHIC PHASES OF CONCHOLOGY. 403 



The greater number of the genus Pyrula, are dextrorsal, or rise 

 in a spiral line from right to left, so as to present the mouth on the 

 right side when held with the elongated canal or tube downward. 

 Such is not the case, however, with the two species referred to as 

 l)elongiBg to the American continent, and hence apparently, the 

 origin of the name given to the more abundant of these, the Pyrula 

 'Perversa. But in the East Indian Seas, examples of sinistrorsal 

 monstrosities of the native species are occasionally met with, and are 

 highly prized. Such reversed shells of the species Turbinella, are 

 held in special veneration in China, where great prices are given for 

 them. They are kept in the pagodas by the priests, and are not only 

 employed by them on certain special occasions as the sacred vessels 

 from which they administer medicine to the sick ; but it is in one of 

 those sinistrorsal turbinellse that the consecrated oil is kept, with 

 which the Emperor is anointed at his coronation. It is probably in 

 reference to this custom that Meuschen, who considered what is now 

 recognised as the full grown shell a different variety from the smaller 

 one, — called by him the Murex Pyrum, — gave to it the name of 

 Murex Sacrificator. 



These shells are often curiously ornamented with elaborate carv- 

 ings, fine specimens of which are preserved in the British Museum. 

 In the Synopsis of the Zoological Gralleries in that Museum, it is 

 remarked, " The TurbinellcB from their form have been called turnip 

 shells, or rape shells. These are often used as oil vessels in the 

 Indian temples, and for this purpose are carved and otherwise orna- 

 mented, as may be seen by some in the collection. "When reversed, 

 they are much sought for by the Ceylonese, and highly valued ; one 

 of these reversed clamp shells is in this collection. They are said to 

 sell for a very large price in Ceylon and China." 



The Turbinella Pyrum, which is one of the most prized of these 

 Ceylonese Turbinellce, is also an article of great importance in the 

 ornamental manufactures of the East Indies, and is so extensively 

 employed that upwards of 4,300,000 shells have been exported in a 

 single year, from Ceylon to the ports of Calcutta and Madras. 

 These are chiefly employed in the manufacture of armlets, and 

 anklets, often highly ornamented, and generally known by the name 

 of bangles. The process at the apex of each shell is also made into 

 a button or bead. These are the Krantahs, necklaces of which have 

 been so commonly worn by the Sepoys in the East India Company's 

 service, as almost to be deemed a regular part of their uniform. 



