Valampuri chanks are freaks

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D. B. James, a marine scientist, tells me that "Valampuri chanks are

freaks, very rare and therefore of great value." He writes that the

unusual direction they curl in has "something to do with the torsion

during development". He adds, "The sacred chank Xanous pyrum, which is

restricted to the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, sometimes occurs as

Valampuri chanks. Scientifically they are known as dextral and sinister

shells. Valampuri shells are now found only in temples, museums and in

the former princely houses. They are collectors' items and command a

good price, but there are some species of shells, viz., Lighting WHELK,

that occur only as Valampuri shells and they have no value."

 

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