112 



been thought by some to be the true Tyrian dye of the an- 

 tients ; aUhough much has been said about Buccinum pur- 

 pureum by Pennant and others, which last affords such a 

 trifling quantity. At this age, which improves on every dis- 

 covery, it might be worth while to those concerned in dyes, 

 perhaps, to learn whether these animals may be acquired 

 in suflicient quantities for such purpose. 



Pennant calls his Laphjsia depilans, and compares it 

 with Pliny's description of Lepus mar'ums, observing that 

 Pliny places it among the venomous marine animals, saying 

 that even the touch is infectious. He also says that the 

 smell is extremely nauseous. Ours does not agree in any 

 of these characters, and I think I should have observed it if 

 the smell had been nauseous. We have examined two 

 bottles from Grenada, probably containing ^p/iy^ia depilans 

 of Linnaeus, by Sir Joseph Banks's favour, who had them 

 sent him by Mr. Christ. Rapier with the following account 

 in a letter : 



"■ SIR, 

 ^^ Although I have not the honour of being known to 

 you, I have presumed to send you, what I hope will be 

 favourably received, specimens of the true Murex of the 

 antients. The fish were brought on shore by some fisher- 

 men of this place, St. George's, Grenada. The fish are 

 known here by a name which I cannot express in English ; 

 but may be translated very closely by Vulva mar'ma, and by 

 the corrupt French of this country by Pissa-la-mer. The 

 liquid which issues from the fish is of the most beautiful 

 purple. A considerable quantity had been shed previous to 

 its coming into my possession, and I was solicitous that 

 what remained might reach you with as little alteration as 

 possible. The two fish in No. 1. were put alive into the 

 bottle, and very strong rum poured upon them and closed 

 up." The rum of course had taken away the beautiful 

 purple colour, and they remained of a purplish black. 



