70 MURICID^. 



cated structure, and is furnished with a number of muscles 

 well described by Cuvier in his anatomy of Buccinuni, 

 which enable it to be withdrawn into itself like the tenta- 

 cles of a snail. The above description of this extensive and 

 important group of molluscous animals forms a portion of 

 new and valuable researches for which we are indebted to 

 Dr. Grray, who has contributed so materially, by his nume- 

 rous writings, to rescue this class of beings from the confa- 

 sion into which they have been thrown by the exclusive 

 attention formerly directed to their shells only, 



Fam. MURICID^. 



Teeth on lingual membrane in three series (1 •!•]), the 

 central broad, the lateral versatile ; lateral teeth flat, with a 

 bent up process at the end, more or less at right angles with 

 the base. Mantle enclosed, tlie margin producing varices at 

 intervals across the shell, and extended in front forming a 

 straight more or less elongated siphon. Foot simple in front. 



Shell spiral, often turreted, more or less extended at the 

 fore-part into a straight siphonal canal. 



In this family are comprised many of the largest and most 

 beautiful shells hitherto discovered, often remarkable for the 

 delicacy of their sculpture and the variety of their colours. 



Sub-fam. MURICINiE. 



Operculum ovate, nucleus sub-apical, within the apex. 

 Shell with the spire usually as long as the aperture, the 

 surface rough, or with the varices well-developed. 



Genus MUREX, Linnasus. 

 Shell ovate or oblong ; spire prominent, acute, whorls con- 



