MUREX. 4895 
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 ‘Mémoires pour servir a 
? Histoire 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 Linnzus and authors in the genus Murex, | 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 Linnean genus, as others have to split one mto 
twenty genera; and I am confident that if the great and 
candid Linnzeus 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. Datei, Sowerby. 
Buccinum Dalei, Sowerby. 
, Brit. Moll. iii. p. 408, pl. 109. f. 1, 2. 
M. rustrormis, Broderip. 
Buccinum fusiforme, Broderip. 
, Brit. Moll. im. p. 412, pl. 110. f. 2, 3. 
