MUEEX. 479 



names Buccinum, Fusus, Purpura, Nassa, &c., they must 

 follow the bent of their inclination ; it is hard to cast off old 

 habits, even though much better ones may present themselves, 

 " meliora probo, deteriora sequor :" but in our method they 

 will bear in mind that these words have the precise value of 

 our sectional definitions : they are mere signs and mementos 

 representing objects with certain outward characters, but 

 without the slightest generic pretension. 



It may be objected that our sections and definitions are the 

 mere equivalents of the old Buccinum, Fusus, &c. : this is not 

 so ; these terms pretend to represent what does not exist 

 generic distinction ; but the sections merely point out varia- 

 tions of external aspect to assist arrangement : the first stalk 

 abroad under false colours, the others are clothed in simple 

 integrity, casting off the garb of phrases which imply fictitious 

 values. 



The generic synonymy appended to the sections will enable 

 the collector to arrange his objects, either in the groups of 

 the Linnsean Murex, or in the pseudo-genera of the moderns. 

 The following seven sections will suffice for our Muricidal 

 indigena. The exotic objects will require a few others. 



MUREX. 

 MUREX et BUCCINUM, Linnaeus. 



Sectio I. Testa conica, subinflata, varicosa, spiraliter striata. Canalis 

 effusus, sa-pe obtectus. Apertura ovalis. Columella aspera. Operculum 

 corneum. 



MUREX, Auct., PLEUROTOMA, Lamk., TROPHON, Montf., LA- 

 CHESIS, Risso, MANGELIA (pars], Leach and Forbes. 



M. ERINACEUS, Linnaeus. 



M. erinaceus, Brit. Moll. iii. p. 370, pi. 102. f. 4 ; (animal) pi. T.T. f. 1. 

 Animal spiral, yellowish-white; mantle very thin; the 

 branchial fold extends very little beyond the canal of the 

 shell. The head is small and compressed; from its angles 

 the moderately long tentacula spring, and almost coalesce at 

 their bases, from which they run tumid to some distance, 

 accompanied by offsets of more than half their length, on 



