Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 73



Messrs. Stuchbury obligingly forwarded us fine specimens of this lovely species, for comparison with M. Regius and Imperialis. In general habit it has a close affinity to the first, but is distinguished by intermediate false varices, which in that species are wanting; while the upper and lower spines are alone vaulted: from Imperialis our shell is further removed, by the varices being spinous, instead of nodulous; this latter character being seen only in the intermediate protuberances, and in the false varices.

We have already intimated our belief that Murex and Cassis represent two equivalent groups; and these, as containing several established genera, we shall consider as sub-families: giving them the usual termination of inæ. Those higher naturalists, who have long since abandoned the belief in absolute divisions and isolated genera, are fully aware that no groups are more likely to exhibit the arrangement of nature, than such as contain numerous species, under a great diversity of forms. The Murices are of this description, and appear to exhibit, among themselves, a circular series. Triton and Murex also seem typical genera, and of equal value. Ranella obviously belongs to the first; yet, as it is merely a subordinate type of form, we cannot, under this belief, retain it as a genus, without a manifest inconsistency; unless, indeed, it is thought expedient to consider the types of form in Murex, as so many genera, and elevate three others in Triton to the same rank; a refinement in nomenclature, which we cannot think is in the least degree necessary.