M U R E X Imperialis. 

 Imperial Murex. 



Family, Buccinidae. Sub-family Muricinje. Nob. 



Generic Character. See Lam. Syst. 



Types of form. 1. M. Regius. 2. palmaroste. 3. triptcrus. 

 4. tenuispinosus. 5. radix P Lam. 



Specific Character. 



Type 1 . Shell ponderous, with from four to floe varices between 

 the two lips; the varices simple, nodulous, and obtuse : inter- 

 mediate, or false varices, none; aperture yellow, orange, or 

 red ; inner lip striated only at the base. 



The inhabitants of the Murices, or Rock Shells, are 

 rapacious ; and feed, for the most part, upon animal matter, 

 cither livinij or dead. By the latter instinct they are led 

 to frequent harbours and sea-ports, for the sake of offal, 

 and other animal refuse, thrown from vessels, which they 

 greedily devour. Lamarck, with his usual precision, has 

 characterized many species ; but for the very beautiful one 

 now, we believe, for the first time described, we have to 

 thank Messrs. Stuchbury, who favoured us with the in- 

 spection of a fine series of specimens, received from the 

 Island of Margarita, Lat. 11. 20. N. Lon. 63. 20. W. 



The genera Buccinum and Murex of Linne, appear 

 typical of the carnivorous order Zoophaga, whose shells 

 are either notched or channelled at their base. These 

 arrange themselves under two great divisions. In one 

 the animal has an operculum or lid, which closes the 

 entrance of his shell ; in the other, the shell itself is more 

 or less enveloped by two large lobes, called the mantle, 

 with which the animal covers his habitation. Nevertheless, 

 these two divisions, as M. Cuvier has fully shown, become 

 insensibly united, and form one natural group. The two 

 principal divisions of the operculated race are represented 

 by Cassis and Murex ; the genera of the first have been 

 pretty correctly made out ; but those of the Muricinos 

 require much reformation ; so far as regards the definition 

 of their typical forms, and their apparent scries of aflinities. 

 Muricina', PI. 1. 



67. 



