Industrial and Manufacturing Uses of Shells. 269 



The variety in the figure, colour, and characters of sea 

 shells is almost infinite. The most beautiful come from 

 the Pacific and Australian coasts. The sun, by the great 

 heat that it throws on the seas near the equator, would 

 seem to have some efi"ect in heightening the colours of shells 

 produced in tropical zones, and the nature of the food of 

 the animals probably gives them a lustre and a brilliancy 

 which are wanting in those of colder latitudes. 



It is impossible to enumerate all the purposes to which 

 shells are applied, but some few may be specified. 



The shells of Strombus, Triton, Doliimi, Fusils, Mttrex, 

 and BiicciniLin are used for fog-horns, trumpets, lamps, vases, 

 and ornamental borders in flower gardens. Those of 

 Bitsycon, Sycotyptts, Mactra, etc., by Indians in the manu- 

 facture of implements. Shells of species of Mactra for 

 ladles, scoops, and spoons, by fishermen. Those of 

 Tridacna for vases, fountains, and in the manufacture of 

 handles and carvings. The shells of Pecten, Haliotis, Den- 

 talmm, Merceiiaria, etc., by the Indians for trimmings and 

 ornaments. The scallop or palmer's shell {Pecten jacobcens) 

 was used as a decoration of honour. Other Pectens are 

 used in making pincushions and purses. The chank shell is 

 used in the manufacture of Hindoo bangles, and in polish- 

 ing or glazing cloth. The painter's mussel {Unio pictornm) 

 is used to hold gold and silver colours. The shells of 

 Placnna placenta are employed in China as a substitute for 

 glass. Cytherea htsoria, the painted shell of the Japanese, 

 with pretty designs on it, is used for playing a game. The 

 cowries serve for currency in India and in the African trade, 

 and for trimmings to various trappings. The shells of 

 Mercenaria violacea. Purpura lapilhis, and Biicciniun nnda- 

 tinn are used by the Indians of the eastern coast of 

 America in the manufacture of their native money, and 



