Cowry shell - cowry shell

Japanese: タカラガイ(宝貝) - タカラガイ

A general term for snail shells of the cowrie family. Many species are found in tropical regions. Young shells have a spiral layer like ordinary snail shells, but this disappears as they grow. The egg is cylindrical, with a bulging back and a beautiful shine. The opening on the ventral surface is narrow, with fine tooth-like notches on both sides. The egg sac is shaped like a rice bag, and the parents sit on it to protect it. It was once used as currency in China and other countries, and the character 'shell' is a pictograph of cowrie shell. It is also called 'koyasu ga' (cow's shell) because it is said that if a pregnant woman holds it, she will give birth easily. The starry oyster shell is large, 11 cm tall, 7 cm wide, and has a black circular pattern. The yellow oyster shell is yellow, 3 cm tall, and 2 cm wide. The rose oyster shell is similar to the previous species, but has an orange ring on its back. The hachijo oyster shell is 8 cm tall, 6 cm wide, and has blue-brown spots scattered on a black background.
→ Related items: Cow shell (cow shell) | Shell money

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

タカラガイ科の巻貝の総称。熱帯地方に種類が多い。幼貝は普通の巻貝のような螺層(らそう)をもつが，成長に従って消失。卵円筒形で，背面はふくらんで光沢が強く美しい。腹面の殻口は狭く，両側には細かい歯のような刻みがある。卵嚢は俵形で，親はその上に乗って保護する。かつて中国等で貨幣として用いられ，〈貝〉の字はタカラガイの象形文字である。また妊婦がこれを握っていれば安産するというところからコヤスガイ（子安貝）の名もある。ホシダカラガイは大きく，高さ11cm，幅7cm，黒い円紋がある。キイロダカラガイは黄色で高さ3cm，幅2cm。ハナビラダカラガイは前種に似るが，背面にだいだい色の輪がある。ハチジョウダカラガイは高さ8cm，幅6cm，黒色地に青褐色斑が散在する。
→関連項目コヤスガイ（子安貝）｜貝貨

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