THE PEARL
	hundred and fifty dollars. Similar to these, pearly formations characterized by a glazed, or glassy, or shiny surface, are found in many molluscan varieties, bivalves and univalves, but none of these are true pearls. Pearls similar to the pink Conch are found in the shank or chank of Ceylon (Turbinella scolymus). This is the sacred shell of the Hindus and the national emblem of Travancore in the Madras presidency, India. Vishnu car­ries a chank called "Devadatta" in his hand. It is said his first incarnation was for the purpose of destroying Shankhasura (the giant chank shell), and thereby regaining the Vedas, which had been stolen and taken to ocean deeps.
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