98 UNIVALVES. 



which the celebrated dye was extracted, and 

 seem to indicate that place as one where it was 

 prepared ; it has not been ascertained to what 

 species these shells belong. 



MUREX TriMus. 



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 nodulous : 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 

 that it arose from one of these shells, the thorns 

 of which had entered his flesh. 



