yee” 
GASTEROPODA. 2138 
aro now known to have no affinity with the Atlantide, but to 
be the larva form of species belonging to the Muricide. 
OS |e 
Nerval 
| 
Fig. 78. MZwrex tenuispina, (Wilton.) 
Murex (Pliny), L. 
Types, M. palma-rose, Pl. IV., Fig. 10. M. tenuispina, Pl. 
Seti, 9) M. haustellum, Pl. IV., Hig: 8. Mo radix, 
oinnatus. 
Shell ornamented with three or more continuous longitudinal 
varices ; aperture rounded ; beak often very long; canal partly 
slosed ; operculum concentric, nucleus sup-apical (Pl. IV., Fig. 
10); lingual dentition (M. erinaceus), teeth single, three 
crested ; uncini single, curved. For dentition of WM. tenwispina 
3ee Tig. 78. 
Distribution, 220 species. World-wide; most abundant on 
the West Coast of tropical America, in the Chinese Sea, West 
Coast of Africa, West Indies; ranging from low water to 25 
fathoms, rarely at 60 fathoms. 
Fossil, 164 species. Eocene—. Britain, France, Java, &c. 
A few of the species usually referred to this genus belong to 
pisania and trophon. , 
The murices appear to form only one-third of a whorl 
annually, ending in a varix; some species form intermediate 
varices of less extent. MV. erinaceus, a very abundant species on 
the coasts of the channel, is called ‘‘ sting-winkle”’ by fisher- 
men, who say it makes round holes in the other shell-fish with 
its beak. (See p. 21.) The ancients obtained their purple dye 
from species of marex ; the small shells were bruised in mortars, 
the animals of the larger ones taken out. (F. Col.) Heaps 
of broken shells of the MW. trunculus and caldron-shaped holes 
in the rocks may still be seen on the Tyrian shore. (Wilde.) On 
the coast of the Morea there is similar evidence of the employ- 
ment of M. brandaris for the same purpose. (M. Boblaye.) 
Typuis, Montfort. 
Etymology, typhos, smoke. 
