UNIVALVES MUREX. 77 



(after the Frenth) Peigne de Venus, or Venus's Comb; 

 which is not only considered a rarity, but is perhaps one 

 of the most elegant shells throughout the genus. To this 

 same division belong also the Murex Cornutus or Horned 

 Snipe's-head, and jMurex Brandaris or Thorny Snipe's- 

 liead; the former of which grows to a considerable size, 

 and is by no means common. 



The Venus' Comb, Avhen perfect, is most beautifully 

 adorned with thin and delicate spines, exquisitely ad- 

 justed in regular order, and placed in rows down the 

 shell. The name it bears is exceedingly applicable. The 

 next division includes those that have a much shorter beak, 

 and are not spinous; such are the Murex Trunculis, Mu- 

 rex Pomum, Murex Decussatus and Radix ; the latter of 

 which is very highly rated, it grows to a considerable size, 

 and its shell is beset with numerous rowsof frondose, black, 

 undulate spines; which, being contrasted with opaque- 

 white, renders it at once an object of great beauty aiwl 

 magnificence. 



The next class or division of the Miu'ices, comprises 

 those species which are commonly known as Triplices, or 

 more properly Purpuras, as the animals inhabiting most of 

 the shells of tliis division are known to possess the pro- 

 perty of affording a rich purple juice or liquid, hence the 

 whole genus has by some been called Purpura. The 

 species of this division, and of which there are almost 

 endless varieties, have their sutures composed of crisped 

 foliations, and acute angular ramifications; among those 

 best known, are the pink and yellow-mouthed varieties 

 of the Endive-purpura, the Rose-bush Triplex, and the 

 Water-wheel Triplex, all of which are exceedingly rare 

 and beautiful. The number of rows in the foliated su- 

 tures, diflfers considerably, some (as tlie Murex Ramosus, 



