shell

ZOOLOGICAL SPECIMENS
China, Whampoa; China, Canton
Circa 1856
Overall: 1 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.

Chambered nautilus shell (Nautilus pompilius) which has been cut in half longitudinally to expose the inner chambers; most of outer surface has been ground down to expose mother-of-pearl; some of chamber walls damaged; brought from China or Philippines by Capt. Merrill S. Sewall (Simon Merrill Sewall), clipper ship FLYAWAY, 1854-1858; ref: Esther W. Prely, "Saga of the FLYAWAY", p. 30.

1984.17.31