The Murex (M. brandaris, Linn.) somewhat closely resembles M. cornuta, but is smaller throughout. Each of its six varices bears two, short diverging spines. This common 32 The murex Shells. Rock Shells Mediterranean Murex is eaten by poor people along the coast, though it is no delicacy. The Tyrian purple was extracted in ancient times by bruising mollusks of this species in pot holes in the rocks along the sea coast.
Sub-genus HOMALOCANTHA, March.
Whorls rounded; sutures deep; varices leaf-like and pro duced into fingers, dilated at the tips or spiny; canal short, curved, wide, almost closed. Four Oriental species.
The Scorpion Murex (M. scorpio, Linn.) is remarkable for the finger-like, channelled fronds, flattened into broad tops, that ornament the last of its five varices. The others bear stumpy, straight spines. A deep and wide spiral suture separates the whorls, almost cutting off connection between the body whorl and the spire. The canal is wide and open. Colour, white to chocolate; varices dark-coloured. Length, lI to 21 inches.
Habitat. — Moluccas, Philippines.
The Windowed Murex (M. fenestratus, Chemn.) is decorated with a regular lattice-work of ridges which intersect at right angles, leaving square dark window-like pits. There are five or six varices, bearing branched orange-yellow spines so delicate as to be broken from most specimens we see. This is one of the ele gant fusiform rock shells. Length, l to 2 inches.
Habitat. — Philippines, Red Sea.
Sub-genus PHYLLONOTUS, Swains.
This group differs from Chicoreus in having numerous varices• The more varices, the more chance for elaborate ornamenta tion of the shell. In this sub-genus the Murex tendency to spiny outgrowths reaches its highest possibilities. The names indicate how these shells bristle with close-set fronds and prickles and laminations.
The Root Murex (M. radix, Gmel.) is almost globular with short black, triangular spines set close on its ten to fifteen frondose varices. The white ground colour is almost concealed by this black stubble, which leaves only the top of the spire exposed. It looks like some rough tuberous root. Length, 3 to 5 inches.
Habitat. — Panama.
The Banded Murex (M. trunculus, Linn.), the commonest Mediterranean species, is modest in its pretensions. The keeled 33 The Murex Shells. Rock Shells whorls are set with low tubercles or erect cusps. The broad lip
is scarcely wavy. The brownish surface has three broad bands of purple, especially bright in the aperture. From these the Tyrian dyes were obtained. Shells are found in heaps along shore, where they were crushed in course of the process. To-day this species is used as food. Length, 3 inches.
The Cabbage Murex (M. brassica, Lam.) has a stocky shape, with low spire, short canal and swollen body whorl. There are six or eight folded varices, sharply toothed along the edges, and a larger tubercle on the shoulder of each. Groups of flat tubercles lie between the varices. The mouth is wide and pink-lipped, but orange within. Three brown bands encircle the pale surface. The varices are pink at the edges.
This is one of the largest rock shells. It is closely related to the species princeps, regius, itnperialis, "nobles," as their names imply. The Panama and West Indian provinces are the homes of several superb species. Length, 6 to io inches.
Habitat. — Gulf of California.
The Endive Murex (M. endivia, Lam.) has a frizzled head, tipped and banded with brown, curly as the most crisp and in viting head of endive. Length, 4 inches.
Habitat. — Philippines.
The Spine-ribbed Murex (M. spinicostata, Val.) is a hand some West Indian shell, wound with close ridges, and crossed by six or seven varices armed with hollow spines, very sharp and slightly curved. A few dead specimens have been found on the shore at Beaufort, N. C., and southward. So we claim it as an American species. Colour, white with pinkish brown spiral lines; lining, white. Length, 5 inches.
Habitat. — West Indies.
The Rock-dwelling Murex (M saxatilis , Lam.) is one of the large, many-variced species, highly coloured, and greatly desired by collectors of handsome shells. The spines spread into graceful fronds. Those on the shoulder of each whorl are larger and usually curved. The canal is curved and open, with spines on each side. The body whorl is considerably swollen. The outside is brownish yellow, banded with pink; the aperture rosy-pink, banded with darker colour. Some varieties are deep orange pink all over The handsomest ones come from the Indian Ocean, though collectors more recently have found as fine speci 34 The Murex Shells. Rock Shells mens on the west coast of Africa. They reach eight inches in length.