UNIVALVES. BUCCINUM. 67 



Scapha. Prseputium. Reticulata. 



Cymbiola. Glans. Spectabilis. 



BUCCINUM.-Whelk. 



Animal — a Limax: Shell nnivatve, spiral, gibbous: aper- 

 ture ovate, terminating in a short canal, leaning to the 

 right, with a retuse beak or projection; pillar-lip ex- 

 panded^ 



This genus, Avliich comprises two hundred specieSj is re- 

 markable for the great and beautiful variety it affords, 

 and therefore is rendered difficult to separate from the 

 genus Murex ; however, the leading distinction given to 

 the Buccinum is, that its beak or canal is usually much 

 shorter than that of the Murex, and instead of leaning to 

 the left, it inclines to the right. Besides which, the Buc- 

 cinum is generally more gibbous or bellied than the Mu- 

 rex, especially when those species called Tuns and Hel- 

 mets are referred to. The Tuns are for the most part of 

 a brittle and light fabric, and although some of them 

 grow to a large size, yet even the adults retain their cha- 

 racteristic fragility and thinness ; their form is almost in- 

 variably very globose, but the mouth, unlike the Helmets, 

 is rarely beset with teeth. 



The Spotted Tun (Buccinum Dohum), the Ribbed Tun 

 (Buccinum Galea), and the Clouded Tun (Buccinum 

 Olearium), are the most usual species; the Partridge Tun 

 (Buccinum Perdix) is also well kno^^ n to most collectors. 



