240 AMERICAN JOURNAL 



The surface of the b,ody covered with purple points, more es- 

 pecially on the dorsal surface, sparsely on the ventral side of the 

 body, or that on which the funnel is placed. 



During the life of the creature, the change of color is very 

 curious, appearing at times to vary its tints according to the 

 surrounding nature of the ground over which it passes. This 

 play of color being very rapid, changing from deep purple to 

 violet and blue, with all their delicate gradations of tint, as far 

 as I have had the opportunity of examining the skin of the io- 

 ligo. This phenomenon appears to be due to the contraction and 

 dilatation (pupil-like) of vesicles or globules containing fluids of 

 various colors. This dilatation and contraction, I have noticed, 

 continues for some time after death, although with much less 

 vigor. 



The shell or bone is pennate ; moderately dilated posteriorly ; 

 narrow in front ; oblong, with a central keel. 



This species is found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the 

 Florida coast, but has not been met with north of the coral 

 reefs. 



In the form and position of the fins it is allied to the sepiolse. 

 It differs from Lcsueur's hrevipinna in the general figure of the 

 body, in the position and size of the fins, in the figure and 

 character of the cupules, in the shape of the shell or bone, — it 

 being narrower. There is but a slight, if any cartilaginous or 

 membranous internal support, with the exception of the shell. 



Octopus filosa, Howell. Plate 14. 



Desc7'iption. — Body large, oval, purse-shaped, longer than 

 broad, cartilaginous, rounded at the base ; surface smooth, with 

 • dorsal beards ; aperture of sac large. 



Length of head and body 1 J inch ; diameter 10 lines. 



Head narrow, with a depression between the eyes, short, 

 smooth ; ocular beards six. Eyes very prominent, covered with 

 a very thin membrane, eyelids four, iris silvery, pupil- narrow, 

 dark blue. 



Nape of neck or medial fleshy band narrow. Siphonal tube 

 elongate, truncate ; no valve or superior bands. Length of si- 

 phon 8 lines. 



Arms moderately compressed laterally, robust for about half 

 their length, becoming abruptly attenuated. 



Length of stout portion of dorsal pair of arms, 1 inch 10 lines ; 

 of the filament of the arms, 2 inches 2 lines ; length of stout 

 portion of second pair of arms, 2J inches ; of second pair of fila- 

 ments, 3^ inches ; of stout portion of third pair, 3 inches ; of 



