52 JACKSON, Use of Cowry-shells for Currency, Amulets, etc. 



of C. annulus are strung on strips of Pandanus leaf, the 

 whole hanging down from a neck string in front of the 

 chest. Schmeltz (pp. cit., pp. 23 et seq.), also cites the 

 use of C argus and C. lynx as breast-ornaments, and 

 C. moneta on hip -strings in N.E. New Guinea ; C moneta 

 on arm band, C. annulus as leg- and shield-ornaments in 

 S.E. New Guinea ; and C moneta as ankle-ornament in 

 N.W. New Guinea. 



In the Philippines, according to Schmeltz (pp. cit.\ 

 C. annulus is used as a neck-ornament, as decoration for 

 the coat-of-mail of the Moro, and as the eyes of ancestor- 

 images. 



According to Pickering the cowry was formerly in use 

 as money in the Hawaiian Islands. He says 157 : "An 

 estimable and intelligent Hawaiian lady gave me the 

 following particulars respecting former customs : . . . 

 Money was certainly known, for with a string of cowries 

 (Cyprcea moneta) it was possible to buy any article wanted. 

 Specimens of the same shell that were finer than usual, 

 having a high polish and deep yellow colour, were 

 extravagantly valued, and could only be worn by the 

 highest chiefs, who also exclusively possessed wooden 

 calabashes." In the Vancouver collection, British Museum, 

 are Leis of Cyprcea moneta from these islands. 358 



In Oahu, Hawaii Islands, a large cowry, Cyprcea 

 mauritiana, is attached to fishing-nets in order to ensure 

 success. Specimens of this are in the R. D. Darbi- 

 shire collection, Manchester Museum. The stone (lava) 

 "net-sinkers" of Oahu are curiously enough all modelled 

 after this shell, being roughly carved with a high round 

 back and flat base, with a groove for the attachment of a 

 cord. 



157 Pickering, "Races of Man" (Bonn's Ed.), 1863, quoted by Stearns, 

 op. en., p. 303. 



T5s << Bernice Panahi Bishop Museum," Honolulu (189S-1902), Report 

 i., p. 43. 



