782 AUSTRALIAN OCTOPODIDJE, 



(i This," in respect of the three recognizable series of the cups 

 along more or less of each arm, "however, is the constant 

 character of an Australian species in other respects closely 

 resembling in average size and in the extent of the basal inter- 

 branchial membrane, the common Poulpe ( Octopus vulgaris) of 

 our own shores." 



Habitat Australia — Owen. 



Cups in double series. 

 a. Body smooth, not bearded. 

 Arms 4, 3, 2, 1. 

 Octopus mollis, Gould. 



Body small, elongate : eyes prominent ; siphuncle long, 

 bulbous ; arms graceful with thirty or forty remote cupules ; 

 umbrella (web) thin, delicate, broad. Length 3 inches. 



Hob. Samoan Islands. 



" Has the character of a young individual." — Tryon. 



Tryon, Man. Conch. Vol. i., p. 112, pi. 31, fig. 34, 35. 



h. Body smooth, bearded. 

 Arms 3, 2, 4, 1. 



Octopus octopodia, Linnasus, (vulgaris, Lamarck). 



Body small, oval, warty, cirrose ; dorsal beards placed in a 

 rhomb ; head warty ; ocular beards three ; arms very large, 

 elongate, very unetpual in length ; web large ; cups far apart. 

 Barely the arms are in order 2, 3, 4, 1. In length, measuring 

 from tip to tip of corresponding arms, most frequently met with 

 from 1 to 3 feet, but Verany states he saw one that measured 

 more than 9 feet, and weighed 35 lbs. 



During life the skin of the animal is remarkable for bearing 

 numerous and differently coloured vesicles, which, under the 

 excitement of the moment, produce a rapid change of tint, and 

 a charming play of colours. In deep water, when casually 



