MURICIDiE. WHELK. 131 



could crush the strong hard shells of the Buccinum, or 

 Murcx, but it might easily break the beautiful fragile 

 shell of the Helix ianthina, which we know yields a 

 purple juice; for though a fable, the above was intended 

 to relate a possible event ; and we are told by Sir Gard- 

 ner Wilkinson that the ianthina is common on the coast 

 about Tyre and Beyrout. And though so very small, 

 being only the size of a small snail, three-quarters of an 

 inch in diameter, the water becomes completely coloured 

 all around it whenever it is alarmed, and throws out 

 its purple liquid.* 



Athenseus speaks of many different kinds of purple- 

 fish, some of them of large size, like those which are 

 found near Segeum and Lesteum ; and some small, like 

 those found in the Euripus, and around Caria. Accord- 

 ing to Pliny, the juice of the Buccinum was considered 

 inferior by itself, but mixed with that of the jjelagia, it 

 blended well, and gave a bright lustre to the colour. 

 The proper proportions for dyeing fifty pounds of wool, 

 were 200 pounds of juice of the Buccinum, and 111 

 pounds of pelagium,f and this mixture produced a beau- 

 tiful amethyst-colour. The Tyrian hue was given to 

 w r ool by soaking it in the juice of the pelagia, while the 

 mixture was in a raw state, and afterwards dipping it in 

 the juice of the Buccinum. The best quality was of the 

 colour of blood, of a blackish hue to the sight, but of a 

 shining appearance when held up to the light. J The 

 " conchyliated" colour comprehended a variety of shades, 

 viz. that of the heliotropium, as well as one of a deeper 

 colour; that of the mallow, inclining to a full purple, and 



* See note, Kawlinson's ' Herodotus,' vol. ii. bk. iii. chap. 20, p. 415. 

 f Pelagia was the shellfish, and pelagium the juice, or colour, from it. 

 X Pliny, Nat, Hist. vol. ii. bk. ix. chap. 62 (38). 



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