292 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



shells and their various qualities by the names Titkuri, 

 Pati, Lalpati, Alabela, Dhala, Kulai, and Shurti ; the Titkuri 

 being the best in quality of grain, lustre, and suitability for 

 fine cutting and delicate finish. 



There is considerable variety in the patterns of these 

 sankka bracelets, from the rude broad, flat ring to the thin, 

 delicate armlet, rounded, or with notched or beaded edges, 

 carved with tigers' heads, enriched with ornamental incising, 

 and illuminated by touches of tinsel, lac-colour, gildings, etc. 



A large series of these bangles was sent to the India 

 collection of the London International Exhibition of 1872, 

 accompanied by specimens of the shells both before and 

 during the process of manufacture, together with the tools 

 used, and photographs showing the men at work. These 

 are now arranged in the India Museum, South Kensington. 



The chank fishery was at one time a Government 

 monopoly in India, like the pearl fishery, and produced in 

 the early part of the century a revenue of about ^£^7000; 

 but as the divers fi-om the coast could easily collect the 

 shells, and as they were also procured by digging for them 

 in the sand in the Jaffna district of Ceylon, the restriction 

 was removed. 



A heavy porcelaneous shell, one of the largest known, the 

 Tridacna gigas of conchologists, is much used for benitiers, 

 or receptacles for holy water, in Roman Catholic churches, 

 and for fountain-basins in gardens. It is the largest and 

 heaviest shell known, for the pair of valves have been 

 found in some instances to weigh 500 lbs. In its full size 

 it has a byssus like a cable, by which it anchors itself ; and 

 this has to be separated with an axe. The valves, when 

 smaller, are sometimes mounted as salt-cellars, candlestick- 

 holders, and pin-cushions. Cameos have also been carved 

 on them, but their dead white hue wants the relief of 



