12 INTRODUCTION. 



which, after having had the apex, or extreme tip, broken 

 off, becomes an excellent substitute for a trumpet or horn, 

 and is frequently used by the New Zealanders for that pur- 

 pose. 



The famous Tyrian dye, so celebrated by the antients for 

 the luxuriant purple colour it imparted'to the robes of roy- 

 alty, is an extract from a shell-fish of the genus Murex, 

 and commonly known under the appellation of the Pur- 

 pura or purple fish. An account of the method of using 

 it in marking linen, &c. is given by Mr. Mawe, in his 

 Travels though the Gold and Diamond Districts of Brazil, 

 2nd edit. p. 70. 



ENEMIES TO SHELLS AND SHELL-FISH. 



It appears that shell-fish, besides affording food for man, 

 are destined to supply other creatures also with nouiish- 

 ment. It is said that monkies are particularly fond of most 

 species of bivalves, and that the mode they take to catch 

 them is as follows : — At low water, the monkey repairs to 

 the shore, and searches for oysters and muscles left by the 

 tide ; the fish, for want of water, generally have their valves 

 partly open; the subtle animal, foreseeing the danger 

 of trusting his paws between the shells, artfully drops a 

 stone or two into them, which entirely prevents their be- 

 ing closed by the fish; by this expedient he is enabled to 

 extract his prey without danger or diflftculty, and devour 

 it at his pleasure. 



Tortoises and turtles consume numbers of shell-fish, 

 and the strength of their jaws (as reported) is so great, 

 that they can with facility masticate the strongest and 

 roughest shells. 



Birds also, (sea-fowl especially), are great devourers of 



