100 



Genus 3. MUREX, Linnaeus. 



Animal; similar to that of Triton. 



Shell ; ovate or oblong, generally piriform, or more or less fusi- 

 form, spire somewhat angularly turreted; whorls slightly ven- 

 tricose, varicose, varices three or more on a whorl, variously 

 ornamented with branched foliated or spinous fronds ; colu- 

 mella smooth, arched, ending in a canal which is sometimes 

 very short and recurved, sometimes very long and tubulous ; 

 aperture nearly orbicular, outer lip generally denticulated or 

 crenated, and sometimes armed with an erect prominent tooth. 

 Operculum horny. 



Though somewhat numerous in species, the genus Murex, in its present 

 limited acceptation, retains few originally referred to it by its founder. After 

 being freely dismembered by Bruguiere and Lamarck for the genera Ceri- 

 thium, Turbinetta, Fusus, Fasciolaria, Pleurotoma, Cancettaria and Fyrula, 

 there yet remained an extensive series to be distinguished according to their 

 varieties of varicose growth in the manner described under the genera Triton 

 and Ranella, and of these the largest proportion of species falls to the 

 present genus, because it includes all those whose shell is characterized 

 by the presence of more than two varices on a whorl. 



The number of varices displayed, by what may be termed the typical 

 species of the genus is three, imparting a triangular structure to the shell, 

 winch has been likened to the calthrop of the ancients ; an instrument of 

 war which was scattered on the field of battle for the purpose of wounding 

 the enemies' horse*. 



Beyond the number of three, the varices are irregular, following each 

 other in such rapid succession as almost to lose their distinctive character ; 

 the genus now merges into Fusus, and it is at this point of contact that 

 many synonymes have arisen, on account of the differences of opinion as to 

 which of the two genera, a species should be referred. 



The Murices are greatly distinguished by the beautiful varieties of struc- 

 ture which are developed on the varices, presenting in some species most 

 elaborate leaf-like fronds, in others a succession of fimbriated laminae, in 

 others a row of long tubular spines : these variations of ornamental growth 

 serve as characters for the subdivision of the genus. The profuse ena- 

 melling of the aperture is also striking, exhibiting colours in that purity 

 and brightness which no effort of the pencil can imitate. 



* The calthrop was a small three-sided weapon with a row of sharp spikes down each angle, 

 such as is represented in the structure of the three-varicose Murex; discharged over the 

 enemy's quarters, upon whatever side it fell, a row of spikes would be uppermost. 



