Hock Shells. 49 



it is strong and firm, from three to four inches long, 

 of a dirty yellowish white. There are two other 

 Whelks common upon our coasts — the Stone or 

 Dog Whelk (B. lapillus), from the Latin lapis — a 

 stone ; and B. reticulatum, so called because the shell 

 is reticulated, or marked with many lines crossing 

 each other, like net-work ; it comes from the Latin 

 reticulum — a net; hence also we have reticule — a 

 small work-bag, at one time very much carried by 

 ladies. 



ROCK SHELLS, 



Are so called on account of their rough and wrink- 

 led forms ; they are nearly allied to the Whelks, to 

 which they bear a close resemblance. Several species 

 are found on our shores, the most common being 

 the Humble Murex (M. despectus), from the Latin 

 despecto — to despise; this is often used by the 

 fishermen for bait. Some of the foreign Rock 

 Shells are very curious and beautiful; three of 

 them will be found on Plate IL, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. 

 The Common Thorny Woodcock (M. tribulus), from 

 the French for trouble, whence we have also tribu- 

 lation, which is sometimes said to be a thorny path. 

 This curious shell is also called Venus* Comb. It 



