THE VARIED ROLES OF SNAILS - National Universities Commission

designs that are very attractive and a sold
exorbitantly. According to Eke (1998) many of the
beautiful are collected, arranged and displayed in
attractive manner for home and office decorations.
Many people find shell collecting a fascinating
hobby. They spend leisure times hunting and
cleaning shells as well as mounting them in
attractive displays. Today the collection and study of
snail shells is a scientific discipline known as
conchology.
(iii) In Games
In many African countries, the shells of Limicolaria
spp are used for recreation e.g. locally called
“Koso”. This game is played by two to four people
in which people play in turns using the cylindrical
shells cut at the end to make a cap on the ground.
After making a successful gap, the player is entitled
to use the shell to knock the others backside of the
hand as a compensation for his skill. This game is
played mainly by male children.
(iv) Use as Money
In the very old days before the modern civilization,
shells of the Marine gastropods (Cypracea argus)
where used as money. They are called cowries. No
cowrie demonstrates the miracle of pattern
production more than the well known, 4-inch long
eyed cowries of the Southwest Pacific whose fleshy
mantle produce a uniquely characteristic colouration
and pattern. The shells of the young cowries are
thin, without shelly teeth and without distinctive
colour patterns. These are used as money. When
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