Murray was the author or co-author of scientific publications about organic chemistry and lichens. Some of his most significant were:
* James Murray (1959) [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TPRSNZ1960-88.2.6.5 Studies of New Zealand Lichens. I—The Coniocarpineae] Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 88 (2) 177 - 195
* James Murray (1960) [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TPRSNZ1960-88.2.6.6 Studies of New Zealand Lichens. II—The Teloschistaceae] Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 88 (2) 197 - 210
* James Murray (1960) [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TPRSNZ1960-88.2.8.4 Studies on New Zealand Lichens Part III.–The Family Peltigeraceae] Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 88 (3) 381 - 399
* James Murray (1962) [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio10Tuat03-t1-body-d2.html Keys to New Zealand lichens. Part 1.] Tuatara 10 (3)  120 - 128 (published posthumously)
* James Murray (1963) [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio11Tuat01-t1-body-d8.html Keys to New Zealand lichens. Part 2.] Tuatara 11 (1)  46 - 56 (published posthumously)
* James Murray (1963) [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio11Tuat02-t1-body-d9.html Keys to New Zealand lichens. Part 2.] Tuatara 11 (2)  98 - 109 (published posthumously)