MUREX. 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 poimt 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 Linnean 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, Linneus. 
Sectio I1— Testa conica, subinflata, varicosa, spiraliter striata. Canalis 
effusus, sepe obtectus. Apertura ovalis. Columella aspera. Operculum 
corneum, 
Morex, Auct., Prevrotoma, Lamk., TropHon, Montf., La- 
cHEstIs, Risso, Manceta (pars), Leach and Forbes. 
M. ertnaceus, Linneeus. 
M. erinaceus, Brit. Moll. iii. p. 370, pl. 102. f. 4; (animal) pl. 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 
