CONCHOLOGY.
PLATE XV.
MUREX FOLIATUS
FOLIATED MUREX
OR, FOLIATED ROCK SHELL.
Univalve.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell spiral, rough with membranaceous sutures: aperture oval, ending in an entire straight or slightly ascending canal.
* Sutures expanding into crisped foliations: beak abbreviated Purpura Gmel.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Murex Foliatus: testa trifariam frondosa: apertura unidentata. Gmel. Linn. Syst. T. 1. p. 6. 3529. 174.—Martyn Conch. 2. t. 66.
Murex Purpura alata, testa triangulari, transversim costata trifariam frondosa, frondibus alatis membranaceis instructa cauda recta clausa, labro latissimo, labio adnato, apertura subovata, fauce alba. Chemn. Conch. 10. f. 1538.
This is a shell far more remarkable for the singularity of its growth, than for any elegance or beauty of its colouring. The peculiarity of its character consists in the large, erect, and longitudinal foliations, which are disposed in three distinct, and nearly equi-distant series throughout the whole length of the shell: for they appear in continuity upon every whorl, from the base to the apex. It is from this peculiarity that the species has obtained the very appropriate appellation of foliatus, or Foliated Rock Shell.
In point of colour, as before observed, the Murex foliatus is not particularly conspicuous, and they are of a texture so delicate that it almost constantly occurs in a bleached or depauperated state; it is also a very fragile shell, and from this cause very liable to be broken. When in fine condition, as in the example selected, for the representation now before us, the general hue is a lacteal white; the body of the shell, externally, a deep tawny, with the foliations whitish, and the opening, or mouth of the shell, very delicately tinted with a violaceous hue. Sometimes the foliations have the appearance of fine white porcelain.
This is esteemed a scarce shell, and very rarely occurs perfect, or in a living state. Found on the sea coast of North America.