Tioclc Shells. 49 



it is strong and firm^ from tliree to four inclies long, 

 of a dirty yellowish white. There are two other 

 "VVhelks common upon our coasts — the Stone or 

 Dog AVhelk {B. lainllus)^ from the Latin laiois — a 

 stone ; and I?. reticidatiiTii, so called because the shell 

 is reticulated, or marked with many lines crossing 

 each other^ like net-work ; it comes from the Latin 

 reticiilmn — a net; hence also we have reticule — a 

 small work-bag, at one time very much carried by 

 ladies» 



EOCK SHELLS, 

 Are so called on account of their roufrh and wrink- 



o 



led forms ; they are nearly alHed to the WhelkSj to 

 which they bear a close resemblance. Several species 

 are found on our shores, the most common being 

 the Humble Murex [M. dcsjjectus), from the Latin 

 desj^ecto — to despise ; this is often used by the 

 fishermen for bait. Some of the foreign Rock 

 Shells are very curious and beautiful; three of 

 them will be found on Plate IL, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. 

 The Common Thorny Woodcock (IT. trihulus), from 

 the French for trouble, whence we have also tribu- 

 lation, which is sometimes said to be a thorny path. 

 This curious shell is also called Yenus' Comb. It 



