806 MURICTD.E. 



and ostrum) was in familiar use among the ancients^ and 

 signified not only the Tyrian dye but also the shell-fish 

 [M. trunculus) which produced it. It is related by Isi- 

 dorus that the dye results from the purple tears shed by 

 the murex when wounded. Aldrovandi collected an im- 

 mense number of poetical quotations having reference 

 to this highly prized colour _, which was for so many 

 ages the emblem of rank and distinction. Sumptuary 

 laws were then very strict : indeed two centuries have 

 not elapsed since they were in force in England and 

 much commended by our great philosopher^ Bacon. 

 The deposit of the spawn and production of the 

 young murices were described by Aristotle with his 

 usual accm'acy ; and yet he persisted in asserting that 

 all testaceous mollusca were generated from putrefying 

 matter and slime. The shells of this genus are remark- 

 able for their elegant sculpture ; some are ornamented 

 by elaborately carved leaf-like varices, others by a series 

 of flounced ribs, a few by rows of long almost tubular 

 spines ; occasionally the aperture is profusely enamelled, 

 and tinged with roseate hues. The temperate zone, 

 however, cannot boast of such beauty. It was supposed 

 by the late Mr. Gr. B. Sowerby that, when the outer lip 

 of a Murex is fringed with spines, the animal can remove 

 these processes by some means, probably a solvent liquor, 

 to enable it to enlarge its shell. But his own admirable 

 figures are opposed to the conjecture, and show that the 

 spines are persistent. 



1. Murex erina'ceus"^, Linne. 



M. erinaceus, Linn. S. N. p. 1216 ; F. & H. iii. p. 370, pi. cii. f. 4, and 

 (animal) pi. TT. f. 1. 



Body yellowish of different shades, mottled or lineated with 



* A hedgehog ; from its prickly surface. 



