The quahog (Venus mercenaria) was much used in the manufacture of shell money because of its two decided colors, pure white and deep purple. The white beads were called wampum or wompom and the black beads suckauhock, or black money. In addition to the quahog the whelk Buccinum and the “periwinkle” or “winkle” were used, the long, white columella being cut from the shell and made into beads. We learn from some of the older records that in Massachusetts the wampum was valued at three beads to a penny or five shillings for a fathom. The fathom varied in size according to the number of beads allowed by law as an equivalent to a penny. If this was six, then the fathom contained three hundred and sixty beads, but if the number was four, then the fathom was composed of two hundred forty beads. Owing to the counterfeiting of wampum by the whites, who could make it much quicker with their tools than could the Indians, the value rapidly fell in later years and its use was finally discontinued. On the coast of California the tooth or tusk shells, Dentalium, were used as money, being strung together as were the beads of the New England Indians. Those of the better quality were called Phai-Kwa or hi-qua and represented the highest standard of money. One hi-qua would purchase one male or two female slaves. The damaged or defective shells were called kop-kops, forty of which equalled one hi-qua in value. At one time a single hi-qua was equal in value to about two hundred fifty dollars. Other shells were also used on the Pacific coast, some of which were simply strung in the form of beads while others were cut from large shells. One of the latter was from the large clam, Pachydesma crassatelloides, and the pieces were called hawock or ha-wok, their value ranging from four to twenty-five cents. Another clam used was the Saxidomus aratus. The little Olivella biplicata was used for beads and was called hol-kol. They were made by grinding off the apex, which left a hole through the top of the shell. The Haliotis or abalone was also used and was called uhl-lo. Pieces of the shell one or two inches in length were cut from the flat part of the abalone, a hole was drilled in one end and they were strung like beads. Their value was one dollar each, or ten dollars for a string of ten pieces. Like the shell money of New England that of the Pacific coast was counterfeited by the whites and for this reason the value of the native currency soon declined. Frank Collins Baker. THE BIRD OF SUPERSTITION.