238 



This common fpecies is flrong, and grows to a large 

 fize, frequently five inches in length ; is fnbjeft to vary in 

 colour, from white to chefnut-brown, but more frequent- 

 ly the former, in part tinged with rufous brown. In fome 

 {hells the ribs are ilrong; others are only a little ribbed 

 towards the top ; this variety is the B. Jtriatum of Mr. 

 Pennant. 



There are fcaroe any of our fhores but what produce 

 this (hell. Is commonly taken in dredging by fifhermen, 

 who either life the animal for bait, or deflroy it, from a 

 fuppofition that it is very deftrudive to the large fcollop, 

 Pedcn maxivius: by infinuating its tail (as it is termed) 

 into the (hell, and deOroying the inhabitant : this we have 

 been aflured they will do even in a pail of lea water. 



Small (hells are fometimes very thin, and prettily 

 marked with brown : old ones are frequently covered with 

 a brown epidermis, or rough extraneous matter. 



The fpawn of this fpecies is found in larg'' clufters upon 

 mod parts of our coaft, in which the voung are frequent- 

 ly fecn. In this (late, and for foir.e time after thev are ex- 

 cluded, they have an obtufe globular apex; and have 

 been defcribed as a dittintt fpecies. The Murrx dccoLla- 

 tus of Pennant and Donovan is no other than this, or 

 the fry of Murex dcjpedus^ 



Buccinum 



