102 UNIVALVJ5S.__^MUREX. 



more properly purpurae, as the animals iuliabiting most 

 of the shells of this division are known to possess the 

 property of afifording 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, differs considerably, some (as the Murex ramosus, 

 &c. &c.) have but three, the Murex scorpio has four, 

 the saxatilis five, and the diaphanus six. 



The next division is composed of those species, that, 

 instead of having their sutures foliated and crisped, have 

 them thick, protuberant, and rounded ; such are the Mu- 

 rex lyratus, Murex rana or thorny toad, Murex lam- 

 pas or Swiss trowsers, Murex lotorium or hog s snout, 

 and Murex femorale, or gadroon-whelk, which is re- 

 markable for the circumstance of its outer lip having 

 furnished silversmiths with the idea of imitating it, in 

 their borders or rims of massy silver plate, well known 

 by the name of the gadroon border. The t\vo curious 

 species of shells called the grimace whelks, belong to 

 this division. 



The next variation of form is perceptible in those spe- 

 cies which are more abbreviated and gibbous, being at 

 the same time more or less spinous, and without a mani- 

 fest beak. Such are the Murex ricinus, Murex hippp- 

 castanum or horse-chesnut, and all the varieties of Mu- 

 rex Neritoideus or mulberry, most of which are beset 

 with black tubercles and spines, some having purple, 

 others yellow mouths. 



