UNIVALVES. BUCCINUM. 69 



two varieties, and by no means common. The next for- 

 mation that the Buccina take, is that which resembles, in 

 some degree, the shape of the common Enghsh Whelk 

 (Buccinurn Undatum) ; such are the Buccinum Spiratum 

 or Joppa Whelk, (which has the peculiarity of having its 

 whorls chaiuielled or spirally grooved), Buccinum Scala 

 or Fully Whelk, and Buccinum Lapillus or Stone Shell, 

 whose animal yields a fine durable purple dye. The in- 

 habitant of the English Whelk is often eaten. 



One species of the Buccinum genus is remarkable for 

 having its whorls surmounted with rows of foliations; it 

 is, therefore, generally called the Foliated Bulb, and is 

 the Buccinum Bezoar of Linnaeus 



The Buccinum Tuba and Spadiceum are so nearly al- 

 lied to the genus Murex, that it remains still a matter of 

 doubt where they really ought to be classed. 



The division of Buccina which is more distinct than 

 any hitherto enumerated, comprises those shells which 

 are usually known by the name of Needles; they are re- 

 markable for their sharp, lengthened, and spiral form; 

 which, added to the beautiful delineations which adorn 

 some of the species, constitutes them elegances, rather 

 than rarities in the collections. The most common spe- 

 cies of this sortofstructureisthe Marlin-spike (Buccinum 

 Maculatum), which often grows to nine or ten inches in 

 length: there are other species, such as the Buccinum 

 Subulatum, Crenulatum, &c. &c. &c. some of which are 

 very beautiful. 



The Buccinum Fossile is found in a petrified state in 

 Germany. 



It appears that the Buccina are not confined to the sea 

 only, for the Buccinum Fluviatile is known to frequent the 

 mouths of muddy rivers in India. 



