the animal retreats within it. The Nautilus also differs from the other 

 ( 'i-jjJialopods in lacking the ink gland, and in possessing a simple eye, 

 which is placed on a peduncle, or stalk, and is without cornea, lens, 

 or vitreous humor. Although sometimes seen floating on the water 

 in large schools, the natural habitat is on the bottom of the ocean 

 or among the coral reefs, at depths ranging from three to three hundred 

 fathoms or more, where it crawls about on its tentacles, the shell 

 floating above. Their food is not definitely known, but it probably 

 consists of crabs, as well as holothurians and other echinoderms. 



The Fijian's method of capturing the Nautilus for food is thus 

 described by Mr. Tryon in his Structural and Systematic Conchology: 

 " When the water is smooth, so that the bottom, at several fathoms 

 depth, near the border of the reef, may be distinctly seen, the fisherman 

 in his little frail canoe, scrutinizes the sands and the coral masses below, 

 to discover the animal in its favorite haunts. The experienced eye 

 of the native may probably encounter it in its usual position, clinging 

 to some prominent ledge, with the shell turned downwards. 



"The tackle consists: first, of a large, round, wicker basket, shaped 

 very much like a cage rat-trap, having an opening above, with a circlet of 

 points directed inward, so as to permit of entry, but to preclude escape ; 

 secondly, a rough piece of rope of sufficient length to reach the bottom; 

 and lastly, a small piece of branched wood, with the branches sharpened 

 to form a sort of grapnel, to which a perforated stone is attached, 

 answering the purpose of a sinker. The basket is now weighted with 

 stones, well baited with boiled crayfish, and then dropped gently down 

 near the victim. The trap is now either closely watched or a mark 

 is placed upon the spot, and the fisherman pursues his avocation upon 

 other parts of the reef until a certain period has elapsed, when he 

 returns, and in all probability finds the Nautilus in his cage, feeding 

 upon the bait. The grapnel is now carefully let down, and having 

 entered the basket through an opening on top, a dextrous movement 

 of the hand fixes one or more of the points or hooks, and the prize 

 is safely hoisted into the canoe." 



The animal is made into soup by some of the natives, while others 

 eat it boiled. The shell is used by the natives to make beautifully 

 carved figures, the contrast of the dark outer coating against the light, 

 pearly shell producing a striking effect. In India the shell is used 

 as a drinking-cup, and in Europe it is used to make elegant cameos, 

 which are much sought and are highly prized as ornaments. 



The argonaut, or "paper-sailor," is no less beautiful and interesting 

 than the pearly nautilus. The thin and fragile shell cannot be com- 



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