BOOK IX. Lxi. 131-Lxn. 134 



melting-purple, that is, one fed on a varying kind Bow caught. 

 of mud. Purples are taken in a sort of little 

 lobster-pot of fine ply thrown into deep water. 

 These contain bait, cockles that close with a snap, 

 as we observe that mussels do. These when half- 

 killed but put back into the sea gape greedily as they 

 revive and attract the purples, which go for them 

 with outstretched tongues. But the cockles when 

 pricked by their spike shut up and nip the 

 creatures nibbhng them. So the purples hang 

 suspended because of their greed and are Ufted 

 out of the water. 



LXII. It is most pi-ofitable for them to be taken Preparation 

 after the rising of the dog-star or before spring-time, bimding^of 

 since when they have waxed themselves over with vaneues. 

 shme, they have their juices fluid. But this fact is 

 not known to the dyers' factories, although it is 

 of primary importance. Subsequently the vein 

 of which we spoke " is removed, and to this salt 

 has to be added, about a pint for every hundred 

 pounds ; three days is the proper time for it to be 

 steeped (as the fresher the salt the stronger it is), 

 and it should be heated in a leaden pot, and with 

 50 Ibs. of dye to every six gallons of water kept at a 

 uniform and moderate temperature by a pipe brought 

 from a furnace some way ofF. This will cause it 

 gradually to deposit the portions of flesh which are 

 bound to have adhered to the veins, and after about 

 nine days the cauldron is strained and a fleece that 

 has been washed clean is dipped for a trial, and the 

 liquid is heated up until fair confidence is achieved. 

 A ruddy colour is inferior to a blackish one. The 

 fleece is allowed to soak for five hours and after it has 



• § 126. 



