MUREX. 499 
the minute canal at the upper angle of the outer lip, and the 
branchial fold that lines the basal canal and floats far beyond 
it: the prevailmg ground colour is sprinkled with mimute 
sulphur-yellow flakes. The head is small, compressed, almost 
obsolete, and from the vertical fissure under it the usually armed 
proboscis is exserted. The tentacula are moderately long, with 
eyes placed externally on offsets half their length ; the terminal 
portions are slender, setose, and slightly clavate at the tips. 
The branchiz and other organs offer no variations. The foot 
is pale ethereal blue, with a transparent white narrow border, 
in front truncate, slightly mdented, labiated, and gently curved 
at the right and left angles into small auricles, narrow, and 
tapering to a point which extends beyond the spire. 
This minute species displays, in its splendid coloration of 
azure shot with brillant snow-white streams, and in the pro- 
portions of its organs, more deviation than is usually exhibited 
in this beautiful group, but these elegant distinctions are only 
specialties. Its habitat extends throughout all the zones. I 
have had only one opportunity of examining this beautiful 
minute creature, which being lively, dégagé, and free from 
shyness, gave me every assistance, and the mate of this lovely 
Venus may truly apply to it the Ovidian phrase, “ non rustica 
conjux.””? The Scotch specimens are of larger growth than 
those of more southern climes. 
Exmouth, 20th August 1850. I have just met with several 
live animals in the littoral zone, and I find that m the males 
the organ of reproduction is exactly the same as in the type. 
M. purrurevs, Montagu. 
Mangelia purpurea, Brit. Moll. ii. p. 465, pl. 113. f. 3, 4, 5. 
I can only speak of this species from recollection; I exa- 
mined several of the animals many years ago, but I have not 
the notes thereon ; it is as large or larger than the WZ. gracilis, 
and if my memory is correct, bears a close resemblance to 
it; I am certain it has no operculum, and that the emargina- 
tion in the outer lip is as conspicuous as in MZ. gracilis and 
M. teres. Full-grown specimens are rare at Exmouth. It 
inhabits the coralline zone. 
2K 2 
