264 The Philippine Journal of Science 



were exported. The greater portion of the shells are sent to 

 Singapore, where they are transshipped. 



The rapid increase in value of these shells is due to the 

 increased demand from Japan and the establishment of the 

 second large button factory in Manila. 



Large quantities of the young shells, especially of the trochus, 

 have been gathered; in fact, the factories of Japan prefer the 

 small shells, as their machinery is not adapted to use large shells. 



The present law (Act No. 2604) is intended to protect the im- 

 mature shells, and it is now illegal to take trochus shells less 

 than 8 centimeters across the least diameter of the base * or to 

 take turban shells less than 9 centimeters across the base. 



' The "rough form" of trochus shells of 7 centimeters may be taken. 



