Shell-Trumpets and their Distribution. 35 



In another Ligurian cave, the Grotta di Bergeggi, a 

 Mu7'ex trunculus pierced at the apex was found.'" 



In excavating the Minoan Sanctuary of Cannatello, 

 near Girgenti, Mosso also found pieces of the Triton?^ 



In speaking of the Triton shells found in the neolithic 

 caves of Liguria (see above), Mosso states that they are 

 too numerous for them to have been used for signals, but 

 "the fact that they are found associated with human 

 bones gives reason to suppose that even in neolithic times 

 these shells were sounded with a religious signification, 

 as we see on the Minoan seals of Crete." "" 



Amongst the various species of shells used as trumpets, 

 the chank-shell {Turbinella pyruni) is of special interest 

 from its intimate connection with the religion of Hindus 

 and Buddhists. 



In a brief paper on " The Aztec Moon-cult and its 

 relation to the Chank-cult of India," "''^ I have already 

 referred to the association of the chank with the Hindu 

 god, Vishnu, and his many incarnations. 



The whole subject of Hindu chank-cult has been 

 recently treated in a most admirable manner by James 

 Hornell in " The Sacred Chank of India," ^° and much 

 of the following information is derived from his excellent 

 work. 



In Hindu temple worship, Hornell tells us, " the 

 chank fulfils important service. The ordinary and sinis- 

 tral forms are both employed whenever the temple 

 possesses them. The former- is used in the menial duty 

 of summoning the god's attention, announcing the com- 

 mencement of the principal rites, as well as in calling the 



-" T. E. Peet, " The Stone and Bronze Ages in Italy," 1909, p. 54. 



^^ Mosso, op. cit., 1910, p. 364. 



-•< Ibid. p. 363. 



^' Manch. Memoirs (Lit. and Phil. Soc), vol, 60, pt. ii., 1916. 



-' Madras Fisheries Publication, No. 7, 1914. 



