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THE TEADE IN SHELLS. 



The commerce in shells is more extensive, and the nses to which they 

 are applied more varied, than is generally supposed. This trade is grow- 

 ing year by year into greater importance, and there is ample scope yet for 

 its extension with profit and advantage alike to the merchant and im- 

 porter, the manufacturer and vendor, and to the general public, who 

 are the purchasers and consumers. 



It is somewhat difficult to arrive at any correct estimate of the value 

 and extent of the British trade in shells, because they are scarcely mentioned 

 in the official trade returns. Coming now under the head of those raw 

 materials which are imported free for the use of manufacturers, the officials 

 are very indifferent as to whether the imports are small or large, and we 

 have no account of the snail-shells and ear-shells, the Murices and others, 

 which are received in large quantities. Formerly, when shells were subject 

 to an import duty varying from 5 to 20 per cent., it was necessary that the 

 entries should be more specifically detailed. 



Large quantities of shells which are used for different manufacturing 

 purposes come in under the broad general heading of " Specimens of 

 Natural History ;" and the only specific mention of shells in the annual 

 Parliamentary trade returns are mother-of-pearl shells, cowries, cameos 

 unset, and pearls, the well-known and valued product of the pearl oyster. 



In former years, mother-of-pearl shells were subject to a duty of 5 

 per cent, on the value, and cameos 20 per cent. Cowries were considered 

 merchandise, and when the quantity of the assortment was such as to 

 indicate they were not for manufacturing purposes, they were admitted 

 as specimens of natural history. 



Summary op the Commercial Applications and Aggregate Value 



of the British or Home Trade in Shells. 



Principal Manufacturing and General Uses. 



1. Nacreous shells, lor making pearl-buttons, and other useful and 

 ornamental articles. 



2. Iridiscent and pearly shells, for ornamenting papier-mache work, 

 making card-cases, folios, jewel-cases, &c. 



3. Various small shells used for making shell-flowers and different fancy 

 articles of grouped shells, and for ladies' bracelets, head-dresses, &c. Many 

 of the small common shells used for covering little boxes, figures, &c, are 

 known among dealers as " grotto-shells." 



4. For carving cameos on, to form brooches, bracelets, scarf-pins, ear- 

 rings, necklaces, coat and sleeve links, studs, &c, as articles of personal 

 decoration. 



5. For spoons, handles for knives, drinking-vessels, lamps, and other pur- 

 poses in domestic economy ; for snuff-boxes, pipes, and various other uses. 



6. For making the purest kind of lime when calcined, and for manure 

 when in the form of shell-marl and shell-sand. 



7. For making pottery and enamel when crushed. 



