112 
been thought by some to be the true Tyrian dye of the an- 
tients ; although much has been said about Bucciniim pur- 
piireum by Pennant and others, which last affords such a 
trifling quantity. At this age, which improves on every dis- 
covery, it anight be worth while to those concerned in dyes, 
perhaps, to learn whether these animals may be acquired 
in sufficient quantities for such purpose. 
Pennant calls his Laplysia depilans, and compares it 
with Pliny’s description of Lepus marinus, 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 Jplysia 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 : 
ce 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 marina, 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. 
