MUREX flOCfiT SHELL. 95 



BRANCHED MUREX. 



Specific Character. Shell oval with three 

 foliated varices ; beak short and truncated ; the 

 colour of this shell varies greatly ; it is some- 

 times of an uniform whiteness, sometimes pale 

 yellow, brown, pale red, nearly black, and 

 sometimes the whorls are of one of these colours, 

 and the foliations of another. Its dimensions 

 also differ greatly; it varies from two to five 

 inches, and is about half as broad. 



There is a circumstance of unusual interest 

 to be observed in the manner in which this ani- 

 mal increases the size of its shell, and which 

 shews most admirably the regularity and beauty 

 of the laws of nature, and directs the mind to 

 the contemplation of the wisdom and power of 

 the Creator, who alone could teach these little 

 animals how to construct an habitation so per- 

 fectly adapted to their circumstances and situa- 

 tion. It will be observed that each periodical 

 increase of these shells consists of a piece which 

 surrounds about a third part of the last volution 

 already formed, which portion is terminated in 

 this species by a foliated, in some by a spinous 

 varix, it is obvious that these foliations or spines 

 must be in the way of the future increase of the 



* Plate IV. fig. 1. 



