78 MUREX. 



alternately larger and smaller revolving lines. The typical form 

 has also several revolving series of brownish spots, but these are 

 not constant The spines of the canal are not so numerous or so 

 long as those of M. scolopax. Attains 4 - 5 inches. 



Red Sea, China, Japan. 



M. nigrospinosus, Reeve (fig. 100), is simply a state of this 

 species in which the spines become dark colored. 

 44. 



M. TENXispiNA, Lam. PI. 10, fig. 113. 



The distinguishing character of this, the most beautiful of the 

 Murices, is the large number of long, parallel, curved spines 

 which adorn the canal and lower portion of the body, with 

 alternating, recurved, smaller spines. In its sculpture it is like 

 M. fribulus, and some of the succeeding species. 

 Length, 6 to 8 inches. 



Indian Ocean, Japan. Torres Sts., N. Australia, 



in 20 to 3Q fathoms, sandy bottom. 



M. TERNISPINA, Lam. PL 9, fig. 110; pi. 10, figs. Ill, 114; pi. 

 11, figs. 117, 118. 



Usually smaller, narrower, especially the canal, and with 

 fewer and shorter spines than M. tribulus ; yet it is by no means 

 readily distinguished from that species. It has the same sculp- 

 ture, and even sometimes the same revolving. spots of brown 

 color. It is more graceful usually, in form, its spines are not so 

 stout, and the upper and middle series on the body whorl are not 

 much larger than the others, as in tribulus. Its claims to specific 

 rank are allowed with considerable hesitation. 



Length, 6 inches, but usually not over 3 inches. 



Indian Ocean, Japan, China, Philippines. 



The animal is figured by Quoy and Gaimard (under the name 

 of tenuispina (fig. 117) as greatly extended from its shell in order 

 to regain its normal position when placed on its back. The 

 extended foot is quite large, subcylindrical, yellowish, marbled 

 on the sides with yellow, brown and red. Two very long, 

 cylindrical, thin and pointed tentacles carry eyes on their middle. 

 The mantle is grayish ; its margins undulated. 



M. Martinianus, Reeve (fig. 118), and M. aduncospinosus, 

 Beck (fig. 1 14) , I cannot separate even as varieties ; they are simply 



