MUKEX. 485 



two branchial plumes, one very large and pale brown, the 

 other small, linear, of a darker brown. We say nothing of 

 the internal organs, as it has already been stated that they 

 are identical throughout the Muricidal tribe. We refer those 

 who wish to see a full account of the internal structure of 

 this animal, to Baron Cuvier's 'Memoires pour servir a 

 PHistoire des Mollusques/ where they will find an elaborate 

 account and delineation of it. This celebrated animal may 

 be regarded with perfect confidence as a faithful type of the 

 entire Muricidal division ; our descriptive notes of the various 

 animals will fully confirm this view. 



Having taken the bold step of merging one of the classic 

 genera of Linnaeus and authors in the genus Murex, I must 

 say a few words by way of justification. I am prepared to 

 have much obloquy heaped on me for my presumption, but 

 I shall enter on no defence beyond the present observations, 

 leaving it to the unerring critic, Time, to pass sentence on 

 the step I have taken. I will now only observe, that I have 

 as much right to suppress, on what I consider to be just 

 grounds, a Linnsean genus, as others have to split one into 

 twenty genera; and I am confident that if the great and 

 candid Linnaeus had known as much of the animals of the 

 Murices and Buccina as the progress of science has since 

 made known, he would have merged one or the other of 

 these genera : no conscientious naturalist can support both, 

 the animals being identical in all essential points. I have 

 preferred to retain Murex as the representative of the most 

 extensive group, and by far the older genus. The British 

 Murices of this group are very few ; we have only examined 

 the M. undatus. 



The animals of the following species have hitherto escaped 

 detection : 



M. DALE i, Sowerby. 

 Buccinum Dalei, Sowerby. 

 , Brit. Moll. iii. p. 408, pi. 109. f. 1, 2. 



M. FUSIFORMIS, Broderip. 

 Buccinum fusiforme, Broderip. 

 , Brit. Moll. iii. p. 412, pi. 110. f.2,3. 



