- Sub-genus CHICOREUS, Montf.
Shell ovate or pear-shaped; varices, three, leaf-like, some times spiny; canal short, curved, wide, nearly closed. Species mainly Oriental; some are West African; others West Indian.
The Burnt Murex (M. adustus, Lam.) has jet black fronds, short, leaf-like and irregularly spiny, crowding the varices of the stout spire and also the short canal. The underlying colour is brownish white, with rose pink (sometimes yellow) lip and colum ella. A single large ridge rises between the varices. The spiral ribs are distinct, dark-coloured, and irregularly set with tubercles. Length, 31 inches.
Habitat. Indian Ocean, Japan, Philippines.
The Axis-horn Murex (M. axicornis, Lam.) is one of the most attractive species, owing to the long, branching fronds which adorn its varices. Seen from any angle, a graceful curved arm is lifted from the shoulder of each whorl as if its digitate extremity were beckoning. The revolving ribs are darker than the brownish fronds. The mouth is small and white inside. Length, 2 to 4 inches.
Habitat. East Indies.
The Rose-branch Murex (M.palnza-rosm, Lam.) is the most beautiful of this East Indian group. The solid shell is oblong fusiform, with elevated spire strongly grooved and ridged; the varices bearing stout, flattened fronds which spread into bunches of two-parted tips, beautifully branched and rosy-pink above the banded brown of the shell's surface. The columellar lip is closely toothed, a trait by which it may be distinguished from species which resemble it in other particulars.
This Murex will be the delight of collectors always for its graceful shape and flower-like, rosy fronds. Length, 4 or 5 inches. Habitat. Indian Ocean.
The Apple Murex (M. pomunt, Gmel.) is an abundant and well known West Indian species. Its surface is rough all over. The three varices are low and tuberculated, with secondary rows of smaller tubercles between them, and crossed by spiral lamina. The large, round mouth has a bright yellow lining. The outer
31 The Murex Shells. Rock Shells surface is yellowish brown. The toothed and frilled outer lip bears three brown spots. The columella is wide, with erect edge, brown and faintly wrinkled. The canal is short, recurved and flattened. Length, 4 to 5 inches.
Habitat. West Indies.
The Murex (M. monodon, Sby.) has three strikingly long curving spines on each of the varices. One from the upper end of the canal describes a semicircle, curving over the back of the shell. A single strong tooth rises from the lower border of the outer lip. The columella and outer lip are rosy tinted. The exterior is usually brown, with black fronds. There is a white variety. No more elegantly decorated shell exists than this one, with its long, frond-like branching spines, arching in graceful curves from the deeply grooved body of the shell. Length, 41 inches.
Habitat. Australia.
The Branched Murex (M. ramosus, Linn.) is the largest species in the genus, attaining a foot in length, and corresponding weight and solidity. This is a favourite ornament for cabinets and mantelpieces all over the world. The three varices bear rows of recurving spiny fronds, conspicuous for their size and elaborate ornamentation. The outside is white, coloured with brown and circled with fine brown lines. The aperture is rimmed with rose pink. Young specimens are more nearly covered with fronds than old ones. Length, 6 to 12 inches.
Habitat. Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Central Pacific Islands, Australia, China.
Sub-genus RHINOCANTHA, H. and A. Ads.
Differs from typical Murices in having four or more varices.
The Horned Murex (M. cornutus, Linn.) is club-shaped with seven varices, each armed with two or three long, hollow, backward-turning horns. The spire is depressed, the walls thin, the body whorl swollen. The surface is finely ridged. The very long canal bears a spiral row of short spines. The colour is ashy brown, or paler. Length, 6 inches.
Habitat. West Coast of Africa.