106 OBSERVATIONS ON THE ARGONAUT. 



minate the excretory ducts of the ink-vessel, they throw the 

 ink forth, like the rest of the cephalopods, in order to make 

 the water turbid, and thus escape from the enemy by gaining 

 time to hide in the mud. When still further pursued, whilst 

 in the cage, they would make use of another stratagem, after 

 having employed the first ; this was to spirt a quantity of 

 water by means of the tube, then tired, they would shrink 

 into the shell, and withdrawing the sails, which are always 

 folded over it, would spread them and cover it entirely, mak- 

 ing it appear at first silvery, as I have before said, but an in- 

 stant after along the suckers, over all the keel and spiral, a 

 purple colour would spread, and the concentric circles of 

 spots would appear spread over the two surfaces. 



During calm weather, and in quiet water, if not feeling 

 themselves observed, they make a parade of their many beau- 

 ties, rowing with full sails tinged with beautiful colours, and 

 resting the extremities of the sail-arms on the two sides of the 

 shell, or embracing the shell with them. It is then that their 

 different movements and habits may be observed ; but I was 

 obliged to act with the greatest caution in order to enjoy this 

 spectacle, for the creatures are extremely suspicious, and no 

 sooner find themselves observed, than they let themselves fall 

 to the bottom of the cage, and do not rise again for many 

 hours ; neither could I, like others, have become so assured of 

 their habits in open sea, without the precautions taken by me, 

 and from accidental observations. 



Sometimes when pressed by hunger, they would come al- 

 most to the surface of the water, and when I offered them food 

 would snatch it out of my hands, exhibiting great voracity. 



Although I have studied to learn whether these animals are 

 of separate and distinct sex, I have not been able to make out 

 more than that all those examined by me, and these were 

 more than a hundred, were furnished with eggs. I have 

 thence concluded that they were hermaphrodites. But here- 

 after I intend to make other careful anatomical researches on 

 this subject, which at present I have not the opportunity to 

 do. 



{To be continued.) 



