The Murex Shells. Rock Shells 



The Mournful Murex {M. lugubris, Brod.) is dull purplish 

 with six rusty brown varices spread out, sometimes forming flat, 

 curved spines. These are usually broken ofi", except near the outer 

 lip. The shoulder of the body whorl bears the largest spines. 

 Length, i^- inches. 



Habitat. — Santa Catalina Island and Santa Barbara, Cal. 



Poulson's Murex (A/. Poulsoni, Nutt.)has a solid, elongated 

 shell, spindle-shaped, and grayish white, with fine revolving lines 

 of brown. The oval aperture is pink or white. The canal is 

 short and wide open. The varices form faint, irregular swellings. 

 Length, i to 2 inches. 



Habitat. — San Pedro to Lower California. 



The Furrowed Murex (M. foveolatus, Hds.) is not familiar 

 to collectors. It has seven rounded varices, furrowed by fine 

 stride. It is a thick, clumsy shell, with a short, curved canal. 

 The columellar lip is produced into a rim. Length, 1 inch. 



Habitat. — Sandy bottom, Magdalena Bay, Lower Cal. 



The Lurid Murex (M. luridus, Midd.) is pale, reddish yellow 

 to chocolate-coloured, sculptured with fine sharp spiral lines and 

 faint rounded varices, few in number. Specimens are generally 

 worn. Length, § to i inch. 



Habitat. — Sitka to Southern California. 



The Sculptured Murex (M. inierjossus, Cpr.) is more angled 

 at the shoulders, and narrower. The surface is deeply cut into 

 lattice work by the crossing of the varices and the spiral stria;. 

 Canal short, recurved. Colour, dingy gray. Length, J to | inch. 



Habitat. — Sitka to California. 



Prick's Murex {M. Fricki, Crosse) has slight, thin, frilled 

 varices, and is elongately fusiform, with seven whorls. The aper- 

 ture is small; the canal short and recurved. The outer lip 

 spreads into an elegant wing-like frill. Pale, with three wide 

 purplish zones. Length, f inch. 



Habitat. — California. 



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