MUREX. 77 



Genus MTJREX, Linn. 



Mr. W. Kobelt has published a catalogue of the genus Murex 

 (excluding the genera Trophon, Yitularia and Typhis) in the 

 ' Jahrbiicher " of the German Malacozoological Societ3 r , 1877. 

 Whilst it is the most complete catalogue of the genus heretofore 

 published, I find that it does not include more than about half 

 the number of specific names amassed during my researches. 

 His introductory remarks upon classification are important, and 

 fairly state the difficulties attendant upon any attempt to 

 separate the species into natural groups. 



Five monographs, illustrated by colored figures of the species, 

 have been published, viz., in Sowertty's " Conchological Illustra- 

 tions," in Reeve's " Conchologia Iconica," in " Kiener's " Co- 

 quilles Vivantes," in Kiister's " Conchylien Cabinet," and in 

 Sowerb}'^ " Thesaurus Conchyliorum." The fossil species 

 number more than one hundred and fifty, beginning with the 

 Eocene. 



On the coasts of the Adriatic Murex brandaris and M. trun- 

 culus are constantly seen in the markets, where, under the names 

 of " bulo maschio," "bulo femina," and " garusola," they are 

 sold to the poorer classes for food. 



1. Typical J/^/vVvs, or Tribulus Group. 



M. SCOLOPAX, Dillw. PL 9, figs. 106, 108 ; pi. 24, fig. 208. 



The comparative smoothness of the surface of this species will 

 distinguish it from M. ter/tixi>itia, with which it is too closely 

 allied. The revolving ribs are much darker in color than the 

 general surface, so that Reeve describes the specimens as banded. 

 Full grown specimens attain 8 to 9 inches. 



Red Sea, Indian 0., China. 



M. ocm, Sowb. (fig. 108), is a depauperate young state, the 

 spines not so well developed, only three of them prominent on 

 the bod}', the intermediate ones becoming more noticeable with 

 increase of growth. M. M<i<-<jill it-rdi/i, Dohrn. (fig. 208), from 

 Lizard Isles, Australia, is similar to.occa. 



M. TRIBULUS, Linn. PL 9, figs. 107, 109. 



The whorls are crossed by numerous, somewhat nodulous 

 transverse ribs (4 to 6 between varices), decussated by close, 



