purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris)
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purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris)
purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) (Gastropod) on a beach in Israel, a sea snail. Murex was at one time greatly valued as the source for purple dye. It discharges a purple ink from the hypobranchial gland in the mantle cavity as a smoke screen, from behind which it can flee. The Phoenicians, centred on Tyre, gathered the snails, crushed & boiled them with salt for several days to extract the ink. The liquid was allowed to cool & over a period of time the colour changed for yellow to green to blue & then a rich purple. The extraction of the ink & the manufacture of purple cloth made Tyre a household word in the past
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9207465
© PHOTOSTOCK-ISRAEL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Beach Gastropod Israel Mollusc Mollusca Mollusk Muricidae Purple Rock Snail Sea Snail Shell Shore Snails Murex Murex Snail
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the vibrant beauty of a purple dye murex, also known as Bolinus brandaris, resting peacefully on a sandy beach in Israel. This sea snail holds an intriguing historical significance as it was once highly prized for its ability to produce purple dye. When threatened, the murex releases a stunning purple ink from its hypobranchial gland in the mantle cavity, creating a smokescreen behind which it can escape. In ancient times, the Phoenicians recognized the value of these snails and would gather them along the shores of Tyre. They would then crush and boil them with salt for several days to extract their precious ink. As time passed, this liquid transformed from yellow to green to blue before ultimately turning into a rich shade of purple. The extraction process and subsequent production of purple cloth made Tyre famous throughout history. The image showcases not only nature's remarkable color palette but also highlights the intricate details found within this mollusk's shell. With its spiny exterior and unique shape, this particular species belongs to the Muricidae family and is commonly referred to as both Murex snail and rock snail. Ilan Rosen has skillfully captured this moment in time through his lens, allowing us to appreciate both the natural wonders that surround us and our ancestors' resourcefulness in utilizing them for artistic expression.
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