140 THE LIFE OF THE MOLLUSCA 



in the Pharmacopoeia from Pliny's days, and down 

 to quite recent times there has been a widely 

 prevalent belief that they were especially efficacious 

 as a remedy for consumption. 



After food comes ornament. In various caverns 

 of the Stone Age in Southern France numbers of 

 littoral shells bored for the purpose of threading 

 have been found, as well as fossil shells similarly 

 treated. Present-day savages in all parts of the 

 world utilize them for personal adornment in many 

 ways, sometimes simply boring and stringing them, 

 sometimes preparing portions only by rubbing 

 down till the required part is left. Specially prized 

 kinds are either employed for particular forms of 

 ornament or are reserved for the exclusive use of 

 chiefs. Sections of big Top Shells and Cones form- 

 ing large rings are prepared and used as bracelets, 

 and recently were imported in quantities as armlets 

 for ladies to keep up the long gloves then in fashion. 



Their other modern uses for ornamental purposes, 

 as well known, are extensive and varied— from ash 

 trays to Mother - of - Pearl inlaying work, while 

 pearls form an additional item apart, and have been 

 highly esteemed from very early times. These are 

 obtained not only from the Pearl Oyster of Ceylon 

 and the East, but are met with in the freshwater Pearl 

 Mussel (Margaritana margaritifer), and their fishing 

 once formed a valuable industry; while the occur- 

 rence of pearls in the Zebra. Mussel (Dreissensia) in 



