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Murex Shells — Part 2

Habitat.--Panama.

The Banded Murex (M. trunculus, Linn.), the commonest Mediterranean species, is modest in its pretensions. The keeled 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, imperialis, "nobles," as their names imply. The Panama and West Indian provinces are the homes of several superb species. Length, 6 to 10 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 inviting head of endive. Length, 4 inches.

Habitat.--Philippines.

The Spine-ribbed Murex (M. spinicostata, Val.) is a handsome 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 specimens on the west coast of Africa. They reach eight inches in length.

Sub-genus CEROSTOMA, Conr.

Operculum with nucleus lateral; varices, three, wing-like; aperture toothed inside lip, usually with one large tooth near base. Much like Pteronotus.

The Three-winged Murex (M. trialatus, Sby.) is the prize of the collector in Southern California. It is taken by dredging off San Pedro and San Diego. Three flaring, thin, often reflexed wings adorn its spire; its pale surface is banded between the varices with dark brown. The lip tooth is wanting. Length, 2 to 3 inches.

The Leaf Murex (M. foliatus, Martyn) is white, with chestnut bands, and a pronounced tooth on the lip, which distinguishes it from M. trialatus. Length 2 to 3 inches.

Habitat.--Rocky coasts. Sitka to Santa Barbara, Cal.

Nuttall's Murex (M. Nuttallii, Conr.) is whitish, or brown, banded with white. The six varices are thick, frilled rolls crossed by fine spiral striae. The lip has a row of teeth within the aperture, and one large tooth pointing down and outward. Length, 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

Habitat.--California.

The One-horned Murex (M. monoceras, Sby.) has fewer and larger lip teeth, more tuberculated revolving ribs, less frilling of the varices, lighter colour and a pink interior. Length, 1 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Lower California.

The Festive Murex (M. festivus, Hds.) is a familiar shell to collectors in Southern California. I picked them alive from the muddy rocks exposed at low tide along the breakwater in San Pedro Bay. Dingy brownish white and coated with foreign matters they scarcely show the fine brown spiral striae that cover the surface. The thick whorls bear three ridge-like, crested varices, which are bent backward. The small oval aperture is closed by a horny operculum. The canal forms a short tube that bends back at the tip. Length, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Southern California.

Sub-genus OCINEBRA, Leach

Spire elevated; canal more or less closed; varices numerous, leaf-like, sometimes spinose.

The Hedgehog Murex (M. erinaceus, Linn.) is the "sting winkle" of the English fisherman, the French "cormaillot" or "perceur." It invades the oyster beds, and destroys young and old, boring through the bivalve shell, and sucking out its soft contents. When the bored shell gapes, crabs, fishes and other sea scavengers devour the solid muscular parts--"pick the bones"--while the more dainty Murex seeks new victims. It never touches dead flesh.