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 elaoKev av ipvacocri Trepl yXcoaarj pLep.avias, 610 



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" Camh. N. H. iii. p. Ill "Another dreaded enemy [of 

 the Oyster] is the ' whelk,' a term which includes Purpura 

 lapillus, Murex eritiacmis, Buccinum undatum, and probably 

 also Nassa reticulata. All these species perforate the shell 

 with the end of their radula, and then suck out the contents 

 through the neatly-drilled hole"; ibid. p. 60 "Besides the 

 dangers to which they are exposed from other enemies, 

 many of the weaker forms of MoUusca fall a prey to their 

 own brethren. . . . Purpura lapillus prefers Mytilus edulis 

 to any other food, piercing the shell in about two days' 

 time by its powerful radula, which it appears to employ 



508 



