58 THE NAUTILUS. 



Purpura lapillus is an arctic species and ranges from Norway to 

 New York. It is found on the coast of Europe, where, according to 

 Sowerby, it grows much larger than on our own coast. 



This species confines his daily rambles to that part of the shores 

 left bare, by the tides, seldom venturing below low water mark. 

 There on the rocks or other hard substances he finds his favorite 

 food, the succulent barnacle, sometimes varying his diet with a choice 

 bit of Mytilu* edulis, to obtain which he will bore through the 

 shell. Finally the mussel becomes so weakened that its valves fly 

 open, when the Purpura promptly accepts the more favorable open- 

 ing and proceeds to gorge himself with the delicious morsel, after 

 which he will lie inactive waiting for a return of appetite. Limpets, 

 Littorinas. clams, mussels, etc., are said to find a place on his menu. 



From time to time throughout the year the Purpura deposits its 

 eggs enclosed in little vase like capsules. These capsules may be 

 found in clusters attached to the undersides of rocks. In confine- 

 ment it takes about four months for these eggs to mature and then 

 the young do not immediately leave the capsule, seemingly prefer- 

 ring to try their strength a little before venturing on the broad 

 ocean. The young hatched in captivity instinctively leave the 

 water every day, remaining out about the time it takes for the tide 

 to ebb and flow. 



A few years ago while fishing I had occasion to crack some Pnr- 

 pura for bait. After cracking their shells I placed the snails in my 

 handkerchief to keep them safely until needed. I soon found that 

 the snails had stained my handkerchief with bright purple spots 

 which repeated washings only served to render more brilliant. Thus 

 I was reminded of the Tyrian purple of the ancients, and led to fancy 

 that perhaps in a somewhat similar manner, the dye was discovered. 

 In later years this dye was manufactured in Ireland but so little was 

 obtained from each animal, and other cheaper dyes being discovered, 

 our humble shell-fish were left to die a natural death, and are now 

 useful only to amateur fishermen and so-called " queer people," or 

 "cranks " who go around collecting shells and studying them. 



Purpura lapillus commonly called "dog winkle "by the English, 

 has many scientific names, among which are Buccininn lapillus, 

 Tritonium lapillus, etc. But Avhat is a name ? The Purpura lapil- 

 lus under whatever name he has crawled or sailed has a long, inter- 

 esting honorable history ; has during his day and generation been 

 useful and ornamental in the world, doing his duty faithfully accord- 

 ing to the light given him and making nopretentions to superiority, 

 and who of us can do better than that ? 



