12 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
of Crete, was also an ancient Phoenician station and 
probably a factory for the purple trade.” 
In ‘Thessalia purple was manufactured at Melibcea, 
and a purple-establishment existed at Thessalonica in 
Macedonia.” 
In Greece proper the two most important centres of 
the industry were the coast of Laconia and the Gulf of 
Corinth. The purple of Laconia was considered the best 
in Europe.” Large heaps of Murex branderts are reported 
by Tristram on this coast.” From the island of Cythera 
the Phaenicians despatched to the east and the west the 
On the north shore of 
celebrated “ Laconian purples.” * 
the Gulf of Corinth, in VPhocis, the purple-shells were so 
abundant that half the population of Bulis was occupied 
solely in their capture.” 
Among other Grecian places famous for the purple 
industry, may be mentioned the coast of Argolis, with the 
port of Hermione, where the purple stuffs of Darius were 
“ the east coast of Eubsea; Eretria and Styra 
prepared ; 
in the same island ; and Anthedon in Boeotia.* 
In the western Mediterranean, Tarentum, the modern 
tranto, was a most important station for purple from an 
early date. Hardouin tells us that in his time there were 
still to be seen the remains of ancient dyeing-houses, and 
that vast heaps of the shells of ./urex had been discovered 
there“ = Aufrére, in 1789, describes a hill called Monte 
Herod, iv., p. 151. 
* «f. Besnier, of. ctt., p. 775- 
oe ayy ae H.,” ix., ch. 60. 
** H. BK. Tristram, of. «%., p.. 48 footnote. 
*) «f. Besnier, of. cit., p. 775. 
42 Shid. 
*® Plutarch, -t/ex., 36 
** of, Besnier, of. ctt., p. 775- 
** -/, footnote in Bostock & Riley's ** Pliny, N. 11.” (vol. i, p, 447). 
