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special affection for the weedy bottom of the Bay 

 of Marsasirocco. Murex brandaris is locally known as 

 Sultan el Beccum, or the King Beccum, Murex 

 trunculus being styled simply Beccum. Both of these 

 are abundant and edible, and some think that it was 

 from them that the ancients obtained their world 

 famous purple dye. It is however the opinion of 

 Dr. Gulia and other competent authorities that 

 Purpura Hawiastoma supplied the dye in question. 

 The edible Fusvs lignarius is somewhat common, 

 and is called Gharus or Sigromblu tal bahar. The 

 Maltese call the sea " Bahar." 



The Buccinidce or Whelks have numerous re- 

 presentatives, which are found in very large numbers 

 at Marsasirocco, in the harbours of Valletta, and 

 indeed everywhere. Specimens of Nassoe- are most 

 abundant in the Great and Marsamuscetto Har- 

 bours. 



Of the beautiful Cone Shells Conns Medi- 

 texraneus which the Maltese call Sgorra is abundant. 

 Pleurotoma septangularis may be met with at Marsa- 

 cala, Chercheua, and St. Julian's. The rarer P. 

 multilineata haunts Marsascala. 



Four species of Mitra and three of Marginella 

 are common upon the sands. Cipraea lurida of 

 the Maltese name is Bahbuha is very common, as 

 is also C. spurca, but C. pyrum is very rare. Threa 

 varieties of Natica are numerous, edible, and knosvn 

 by the name of Ghakrux el bahar or 



