298 I N A G U A 



the expansion and contraction of a group of cells attached to 

 pigmented sacks, known as chromatophores, residing in the 

 outer layers of skin over the entire surface of the body. In 

 addition there is scattered over the body another great series 

 of cells capable of reflecting light. These are yellow and impart 

 a strange iridescent shimmer, slightly suggestive of the glow of 

 pearls. The chromatophores, which are of a variety of colors, 

 are opened and shut at will producing any or all colors of the 

 rainbow. 



These color cells are manipulated by highly sensitive nerves 

 communicating with the brain and with the eye. The eye prin- 

 cipally dictates the choice of color although emotion also 

 seems to have a definite influence. When frightened the octopi 

 usually blanch to a whitish or light tone; irritation will cause 

 them to break out in dark pigments. No other creatures in the 

 world can alter their color as quickly and completely. Emo- 

 tion will cause a human being to flush with anger or become 

 pale with pain or anxiety; but no one can hold his hand and 

 will it to be green with yellow stripes, or even yellow or plain 

 brown, let alone lavender or ultramarine. An artist may paint a 

 picture; only an octopus can color its skin with the portrait of 

 its emotions, or duplicate exactly the pattern of the soil on 

 which it rests. Only a very highly organized creature, one 

 with a brain and an unusually well co-ordinated nervous system 

 could accomplish the mechanical marvel of operating several 

 thousands of cells at once, rapidly opening and closing them in 

 proper order. 



The cephalopods are not limited to color change but are 

 also credited with being able to produce the most brilliant light 

 known in the realm of animals. While this luminescence is 

 limited to a very few deep sea species of decapods, which are 

 the ten- armed squids, their light is so vivid that they outshine 

 the fireflies. These lights organs may be found on any portion 

 of the body, including the eyeball itself, and oddly enough, 



