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Typical Murex

Shell with three varices bearing long, straight spines; spire elevated; canal long, straight, narrow.

The Venus's Comb, or Thin Spine Murex (M. tenuispina, Lam.) is the most beautiful of all the rock shells, and the most wonderful in structure. The slender, straight canal is twice as long as the body of the shell. The surface is finely sculptured with alternating large and small spiral ribs. These are crossed by six varices, low ridges bearing close-set, slender, curving spines. Three sets are large, the alternating ones, small. All the long spines curve backward at the tips. The longest are on the canal. The series of parallel spines justify the name, "Venus's Comb." These delicate shells are ashy or bluish brown, the aperture marked with dark lines. Length, 6 to 8 inches.

Habitat.--Indian Ocean, Japan, Northern Australia.

The Bramble Murex (M. tribulus, Linn.) is one of the thinshelled spiny rock shells, with long, narrow, straight canals. The spines are shorter, not so numerous nor so exquisitely formed and set as those of the Venus's Comb. The shell is more solid and commonplace in every particular. The ribs show faint nodules between the varices, and are often dotted with brown. There is a black-spined variety. Maximum length, 4 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Red Sea, China, Japan.

The Three-Spined Murex (M. ternispina, Lam.) strongly resembles the last-named species, but is more delicately built throughout. Each varix bears three prominent spines. Length, 3 to 5 inches.

Habitat.--Indian Ocean, Philippines, China, Japan.

The Woodcock Murex (M. scolopax, Dillw.) has a long canal. The surface between the varices is smooth and spirally banded with brown. The spines are sharp, slender and curved, the longest ones on the canal. The shell's outline has suggested the popular name. Length, 6 to 9 inches.

Habitat.--Red Sea, Indian Ocean, China Seas.

The Snipe's Head Murex (M. baustellum, Linn.) continues the idea of fanciful resemblances. It is a typical Murex with a broad body, and an elevated spire on a straight, slender stem. The varices are low ridges: the spines are reduced in number and size to a few scattered tubercles. The mouth is round and has a sharp, exserted rim. The ground colour is fulvous, with spiral brown lines that widen at the tubercles. The lining is pink. Length, 3 to 4 inches.

Habitat.--Mauritius, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, China, Philippines.

The Rare Spine Murex (M. rarispina, Lam.) is marked by scattered short spines, with a few long ones on the upper margin of each whorl. The lower half of the canal is quite spineless. Length, 3 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Indian Ocean.

The Short Spine Murex (M. brevispina, Lam.), scarcely three inches long, is whitish and has few short, curved spines on the varices. Between these spines each varix is closely tubercled.

Habitat.--South Africa, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, North Australia.

The Curved-beak Murex (M. recurvirostris, Brod.) has thick, leaf-like varices, crossed by strong spiral ridges, and three secondary longitudinal ridges between. The upper tubercle on each varix is prolonged into a spine. There are usually one or two spines below the aperture. The colour varies from white to purplish brown, with faint bands of darker brown, showing most distinctly in the aperture. The tip of the canal is recurved. Length, 2 to 3 inches.

Habitat.--West Indies, West Central America.

The Golden Mouth Murex (M. chrysostoma, Gray) has a curved canal, and further resembles the last-named species in its tubercled varices, and rare spines, in size and shape. It is yellowish drab outside; the mouth is lined with bright orange, and bordered with brown.

Habitat.--Gulf of Mexico, West Indies.

Sub-genus PTERONOTUS, Swains.

Shell triangular; varices, three, fin-like or leaf-like; canal curved, closed, usually short.

The Triangular Murex (M. trigonulus, Lam.) has its apex elevated, and the whole shell spirally ribbed; the varices are flattened ridges, the aperture is round, with a broad, leaf-like wing flaring outward, and following half way down the slim, curving canal. Colour, whitish yellow, tinged with pink, and spotted with brown. Length, 1 1/2 inches.

Habitat.--Red Sea.

Sub-genus CHICOREUS, Montf.

Shell ovate or pear-shaped; varices, three, leaf-like, sometimes 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 columella. A single large ridge rises between the varices. The spiral ribs are distinct, dark-coloured, and irregularly set with tubercles. Length, 3 1/2 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.