354 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



them to die from the effects of exhaustion at the end of the long brood- 

 ing period. This may perhaps partly result from insufficient nourish- 

 ment, as they must evidently miss many chances of obtaining food, 

 which others, unburdened with family cares, avail themselves of. 



The nearest relations of the octopus are the cuttle-fish and squids. 

 The former, Sepia officinalis, is best kno.wn as the animal which pro- 

 duces that fine black-coloring fluid known as sepia-ink, and for its use- 

 ful se^nostaii'e or internal shell, which is usually hung in the cages of 

 canary-birds. 



Though the cuttle-fish resembles in its general structure its relative 

 the octopus, it varies in several particulars. Instead of eight arms, it 

 has ten, eight short and two long. Some persons have pronounced 

 them " beautiful " — in which opinion we cannot coincide ; but their 

 manners are decidedly more genial than those of the octopus. Instead 

 of lurking in semi-concealed caves or behind rocks, and springing upon 

 the unwary like a tiger from its jungle, the cuttle-fish comes out to 

 the light and gi\?es his intended victim a fair chance, having more the 

 habits of a bird of prey than its congener the devil-fish. It is, however, 

 very voracious, and fishermen have often cause to regret its proximity 

 to the fishing-grounds, as it will attack fish while entangled in the nets 

 and drag them out or bite and mutilate them. When attacked, its best 

 defense is the sepia-bag, from which it ejects the black fluid, thus dis- 

 coloring the water and escaping in the obscurity. 



The eggs of the cuttle-fish are usually found attached to a branch 

 of sea-weed and very ingeniously hung by a perfect loop, each one 

 separately upon the twig, where together they somewhat resemble a 

 bunch of grapes. As soon as the young are released, they seek the 

 light and approach the surface of the water. The sepia is naturally 

 very shy, and at the slightest alarm shoots forth with wonderful rapidity 

 its foe-defying ink ; but in captivity its fears may be overcom.e by kind- 

 ness. It is not difficult to tame, and in time it appears to recognize and 

 appreciate its protector, ceasing to discolor the water when sufficient 

 familiarity has been established between them. 



The eyes of the cuttle are so solid as to be almost calcareous, and 

 are divided by a groove in the centre ; these halves are nearly globose 

 at their outer surfaces, and reflect light with a " beautiful nacreous 

 opalescence and play of colors." In Italy they are made into beads for 

 necklaces. The cuttlp-bone when pounded is used as a polishing pow- 

 der by jewelers, under the name of " pounce." It is also manufactured 

 into a dentifrice, and sold under the name of " white coi'al-powder." 

 Artists still use the natural se^na to some extent. 



The common squid {Loligo vulgaris) has the same number of arms 

 as the cuttle, but differs in form and some other particulars. The body 

 of the cuttle is of a broad oval shape, with no perceptible neck ; the 

 squid is nearly triangular in shape, and has two plainly defined necks, 

 one much smaller inserted within the other and projecting beyond it. 



