. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. THE PURPURA. men. Two liundred and ten species are known, extendinj,' from low water to fifty fatli^ are world-wide in their distribution. In Purpitra, the shell is striated, or tuberculated, with slightly notched in front, the inner lip being flattened. Behind the head of Purjmra lapUlus, the only species that Britaii They t spire and a large apert possesses, a lecej). PlRPtK\HPILLl' tacle containing a white fluid, which, on exposure to the air and light, leaihes a bnlliant tint through several intervening gradations of yellow, green, and
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. THE PURPURA. men. Two liundred and ten species are known, extendinj,' from low water to fifty fatli^ are world-wide in their distribution. In Purpitra, the shell is striated, or tuberculated, with slightly notched in front, the inner lip being flattened. Behind the head of Purjmra lapUlus, the only species that Britaii They t spire and a large apert possesses, a lecej). PlRPtK\HPILLl' tacle containing a white fluid, which, on exposure to the air and light, leaihes a bnlliant tint through several intervening gradations of yellow, green, and blue.* The dye so obtained is made permanent without difficulty ; but, although it ^^ is formerly used in Irish manufactures, it has long since ceased to be so emi)lo\e(l, perhaps through not being procurable in sufficient quantity to make it v\oith collecting. The egg-bags of the FurpHra lapUlus, commonly called the ' I>(>g Periwinkle," are deposited on the surface of rocks, or stones, or shells, united m considerable numbers to a common membrane, on which they stand erect like so many oval cups, each cnp containing an embryo. Here the young Purpura; leniain for some months before the cup opens, and when this happens they do not all take immediate advantage of the new-born privilege, but some of them prefer reniamuig wliere they are for a time, in ease and comfort, till they acquire sufficient stiength and courage to leave the protection of their cells. Purpura., like Littorina, crawls about on the shore between watermarks, and seldom ventures under the lower tide-mark. It is very to the mussel-beds. Gliding .stealthily among the sea-weed and stones, it seeks its prey, and woe to the small Winkle, Limjiet, or Trochus that comes within reach of its tei'rible proboscis. It will bring the aperture of its own shell opposite to that of its victim, and then, introducing its trunk, never leaves it until all the soft parts are trans- ferred to its own capaciou
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjecta, booksubjectanimals
