M U R E X erythrostomus. 

 Pink'inouthed Murex. 



Family Buccinidae. Sub-family Muricinae. Nob. 



Specific Character. 



(Type 1.) Shell spinous: varices between the two lips four ; 

 armed with conic, generally pointed spines, the upper and 

 lower of which are vaulted; colour reddish white, articulated 

 icith brown: folse varices intermediate; aperture rosey : 

 inner Up smooth. 



Messrs. Stuchbury obligingly forwarded us fine speci- 

 mens of this lovely species, for comparison with M. Regius 

 and Imperialis. In general habit it has a close affinity to the 

 first, but is distinguished by intermediate false varices, 

 which in that species are wanting ; while the upper and 

 lower spines are alone vaulted : from Imperialis our shell 

 is further removed, by the varices being spinous, instead of 

 nodulous ; this latter character being seen only in the 

 intermediate protuberances, and in the false varices. 



We have already intimated our belief that Murex and 

 Cassis represent two equivalent groups j and these, aa 

 containing several established genera, we shall consider as 

 sub-families : giving them the usual termination of inae. 

 Those higher naturalists, who have long since abandoned 

 the belief in absolute divisions and isolated genera, are 

 fully aware that no groups are more likely to exhibit the 

 arrangement of nature, than such as contain numerous 

 species, under a great diversity of forms. The Murices 

 are of this description, and appear to exhibit, among them- 

 selves, a circular series. Triton and Murex also seem 

 typical genera, and of equal value. Ranella obviously 

 belongs to the first ; yet, as it is merely a subordinate type 

 of form, we cannot, under this belief, retain it as a genuSy 

 without a manifest inconsistency ; unless, indeed, it is 

 thought expedient to consider the types of form in Murex^ 

 as so many genera, and elevate three others in Triton to 

 the same rank ; a refinement in nomenclature, which we 



cannot think is in the least degree necessary. 

 Muricinae, PI. 2, 



73. 



