302 SEALS. 



button factory, in 1910, was paying from 10 to 22 centavos per kilogram, 

 depending on the grade. A small quantity of shell sent to the United 

 States was sold for about 22 centavos per kilogram (5 cents gold per 

 pound). Japanese button factories offered to buy, in large quantities, 

 half-grown shells for 28 pesos per picul of 137.5 pounds. During May 

 the price for great top shell in Zamboanga was 18 pesos per picul. 

 During the past few weeks the price has fallen to 12 pesos. 



The establishment of a second button factory in Manila, together 

 with the evident desire on the part of American button factories to secure 

 Manila shell, no doubt, are responsible for the increase in the price. The 

 result will certainly be greatly beneficial to the trade as it will stimulate 

 the gathering of these shells and the native fishermen will soon learn 

 that it is more profitable to bring them to market than to destroy them 

 by fire in order to extract the animal for food. 



The one objectionable feature which must soon be taken into consideration is 

 the desire of the Japanese buyers to secure the young, half-grown shells. It is 

 very evident that if the young shells are taken it will not be long before there are 

 none left to propagate. However, this is a condition that may easily be remedied 

 by legislation. An adequate export duty on great top shells of less than 9 

 centimeters (3.5 inches) should be imposed at the earliest possible date. 



No careful study has been made in the Philippines of the reproduc- 

 tion, habits, rate of growth, food, or the possibilities of artificial cultiva- 

 tion of this commercially important shell. 



THE GREEN SNAIL SHELL. 



The green snail shell {Turbo marmoratus Linn.) (Plate XII, figs. 

 1 to 4) known locally as turbo, sea snail, lalong, or hulolo, is a large, 

 heavy, turban-shaped shell, found throughout the Philippine Archipel- 

 ago, and largely used in the manufacture of buttons. It is not in as 

 great demand as the great top shell, as it is considerably harder to work, 

 and of less desirable color, having an opalescent instead of a pure white 

 luster. 



The green snail is the largest of the turbo family, sometimes reaching 

 a diameter of 20 centimeters. The usual size is about 16 centimeters; 

 the whorls are few, more or less knobbed; the body whorl is the largest; 

 the aperture is nearly round. 



The color of the shell is a rich green, mottled or spotted with brown 

 and white. The very old shells lose much of the brown color, and show 

 continuous bands of white following the whorls. Wlien the rough outer 

 layer is removed they are of a beautiful, opaline mother-of-pearl color 

 inside and out. 



In addition to being made into buttons they are also a favorite shell for 

 cabinets, spoons, and drinking horns. The royal family of Scandinavia from 

 time immemorial have had these shells studded with gems, mounted with silver, 

 and formed into royal drinking cups. 



