Home › Volumes › Shells › Univalves and Chitons

Cowries — Part 2

Traffic in cowries has made fortunes for Dutch and English traders whose merchantmen get their cargoes in Zanzibar, or in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, where the shells have no value. These ships proceed to the West Coast of Africa, and follow the rivers inland to where tribes live which eagerly exchange their ivory and palm oil for the coveted money shells. Cowries figure largely in the slave trade. The value of these shells differs in the regions where they are the medium of exchange. They have been demonetised in many places by contact with traders who have introduced English money. The upper Nile country is an example.

Shells that lack the glossy finish or are blue are "dead" and almost worthless. Bright, perfect, uniform shells are highest in value.

Table of the currency valuation of cowries on the west coast of Africa. Values vary greatly in inland regions.

40 cowry shells = 1 string

2 1/2 strings (100 cowries) = 1 English penny

50 strings (2,000 cowries) = 1 head

10 heads (20,000 cowries) = 1 bag

3 heads (6,000 cowries) = 1 dollar

In the Soudan, where the people are great traders, the only currency they have is cowry shells. For a dollar's worth of any thing a purchaser must pay 2,000 cowries, which weigh from five to seven pounds. It is not to be wondered at that the wheels of trade drag heavily with this burdensome currency, and progress of all kinds is impeded. In some parts of Africa 3,000 shells are worth a dollar. The price of a young wife is 60,000 to 100,000 cowries--from pound 4 to pound 8 sterling. This is $20 to $40. An older, more ordinary wife may be had for 20,000 cowries or 25 shillings, about $6.

The Ring Cowry (C. moneta, var. annula, Ads.) has already been mentioned. Mr. Arthur Adams saw the young of this mollusk clinging in a glutinous mass to the mantles of their parents. Each had a transparent, very wide-mouthed spiral shell. When put into a watch glass of sea water the shells disintegrated, and the mollusks swam rapidly about by means of two membranous wings, finally settling down.

The Eyed Cowry (C. Argus, Linn.) has as many eyes on its back as Juno's fabled peacock. Three bands of smoky brown cross the arched back, fading out into the creamy ground colour of the base. The "eyes" are rings of warm, light brown. A few of the largest are almost solid brown to the centres. Two large dark brown patches occur on each lip. The teeth are shaded with brown. Length, 2 1/2 to 4 inches.

Habitat.--New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Indian Ocean.

The Measled Cowry (C. exanthema, Linn.) is well "broken out" with round white spots on a chestnut ground, which fades to drab or bluish underneath. A wavy line of bluish white runs longitudinally over the back, revealing what the mottled brown areas almost conceal, three broad bands of bluish brown under-colour. The teeth are dark brown. Fine specimens are picked off of mangrove stems on the north shore at Key West. Length, 3 or 4 inches.

Habitat.--West Indies, Florida.

Variety cervinetta, Kiener, is a smaller shell, more cylindrical and darker than its parent species. The teeth on the columella are dark brown. It occurs on the west coast at Panama and Mazatlan.

The Nut-brown Cowry (C. spadicea, Swn.), the only species found on western beaches of the United States, occurs in Southern California. It is flesh-coloured on the sides and white below. On the back is a brown central area edged with a band of darker brown that follows the outline of the shell. It is not frequently found and is a prize to any collector. The shells are particularly bright and glossy when taken alive. The largest are about two inches long.

The Stag Cowry (C. cervus, Linn.) has an inflated shell lighter in weight than the preceding species and much more roomy. Its aperture is wider in front. Its white spots are close and small and usually blurred into the chestnut ground colour. Length, 2 to 6 inches.

Habitat.--Panama.

The Tortoise-shell Cowry (C. testudinaria, Linn.), the largest species in the genus, has the colouring and the mottled markings of brown tortoise shell on its back, and a multitude of white specks, like flour, sprinkled over the polished surface. The base shades into brownish flesh colour or pale fawn; the teeth are white. Young shells are obscurely banded with brown on a uniform, paler ground. Length, 4 to 6 inches.

Habitat.--Ceylon.

The Orange Cowry (C. aurantium, Martyn) is an inflated shell of ovate form with back and teeth of uniform colour, bright orange. The sides, extremities and base are white. Length, 3 to 6 inches.