MURICIDiE. — WHELK. 
131 
could crush the strong hard shells of the Buccinum, or 
Murea^, but it might easily break the beautiful fragile 
shell of the Helix lanthma, which we know yields a 
purple juice; for though a fable, the above was intended 
to relate a possible event; and we are told by Sir Gard- 
ner Wilkinson that the ianthina is common on the coast 
about Tyre and Beyrout. And though so very small, 
being only the size of a small snail, three-quarters of an 
inch in diameter, the water becomes completely coloured 
all around it whenever it is alarmed, and throws out 
its purple liquid.* 
Athenseus speaks of many different kinds of purple- 
fish, some of them of large size, like those which are 
found near Segeum and Lesteum ; and some small, like 
those found in the Euripus, and around Caria. Accord- 
ing to Pliny, the juice of the Buccinum was considered 
inferior by itself, but mixed with that of the pelagia, it 
blended well, and gave a bright lustre to the colour. 
The proper proportions for dyeing fifty pounds of wool, 
were 200 pounds of juice of the Buccinum, and 111 
pounds oi pelagium,'\ this mixture produced a beau- 
tiful amethyst-colour. The Tyrian hue' was given to 
wool by soaking it in the juice of the pelagia, while the 
mixture was in a raw state, and afterwards dipping it in 
the juice of the Buccinum. The best quality was of the 
colour of blood, of a blackish hue to the sight, but of a 
shining appearance when held up to the light. J The 
“ conchyliated” colour comprehended a variety of shades, 
viz. that of the heliotropium, as well as one of a deeper 
colour; that of the mallow, inclining to a full purple, and 
* See note, Eawlinson’s ‘ Herodotus,’ vol. ii. bk. iii. cbap. 20, p. 415. 
t Pelagia was tbe shellfish, and jpelagium the juice, or colour, from it. 
X Pliny, Nat. Hist. vol. ii. bk. ix. chap. 62 (38). 
