98 UNIVALVES. 



The vast heaps of fragments of shells found 

 about Tarentum, are supposed to be those from 

 which the celebrated dye was extracted, and seem 

 to indicate that place as one where it was pre- 

 pared : it has not been ascertained to what species 

 these shells belong. 



MUREX Tribulus. 



THORNY WOODCOCK. 



Specific Character. Shell subovate, with three 

 spinous varices : spines continued to the extrem- 

 ity of the beak, which is long; between the varices 

 the shell is transversely ribbed and slightly nodu- 

 lous : the colour is dirty white, or pale brownish 

 white ; the shell is about three or four inches in 

 length, of which the subulate beak occupies the 

 larger part ; the breadth of the body whorl is 

 about an inch and a quarter, or an inch and a half. 



This shell is found in the Asiatic and American 

 seas, also in the Red Sea. It was first discovered 

 by a singular accident. A diver feeling a sharp 

 pain from something having pierced his foot, and 

 apprehending that it might proceed from the bite 

 of some venomous animal, immediately gave the 

 signal to be drawn up, when he perceived one of 

 these shells, the thorns of which had entered his 

 flesh. 



