Geographical Distribution of the Shell-Purple Industry. 3 
and Pliny, we learn that this famous colouring matter was 
in great demand among the people of the Mediterranean 
region. It was this purple dye, in fact, which was largely 
responsible for giving to the textile fabrics of the 
Phoenicians their world-wide reputation. 
Both Aristotle and Pliny give the details of the process 
by which it was procured from the shell-fish. They tell us 
that the precious liquid was obtained from a transparent 
branching vessel behind the neck of the animal and that 
at first the material was of the colour and consistency of 
thick cream. When the shells were small, many of them 
were bruised together in a mortar; but when large, the 
animal was taken out entire, usually by breaking a hole in 
the side of the shell, and the sac containing the colour- 
ing matter was taken out, either while the animal was still 
alive, or as soon as possible after death, as otherwise the 
quality of the dye was impaired. This was mixed with a 
quantity of salt, about 20 ozs. to every 100 pounds of juice, 
to keep it from putrefying. Three days,and no more, were 
allowed for the steeping process, and the liquid was then 
set to boil in vessels of tin or lead. The vessel was placed 
at the end of a long funnel, which communicated with the 
furnace, and while boiling the liquid was frequently 
skimmed to remove impurities. The proportions were 
about 500 pounds of material to every hundred amphore 
of water. About the tenth day, as a rule, the whole con- 
tents of the cauldron were in a liquified condition, and a 
fleece, freed from all grease, was then plunged in by way 
of atrial; but until such time as the colour was found to 
be satisfactory, the liquid was still kept on the boil. The 
wool was left to soak for five hours, and then after being 
carded, was thrown in again, until it had fully imbibed 
the colour. 
2 Pliny) Nate Huste. 4 1xench. 62: 
