182 nUR.VA, ITS PEOPLE A. YD PRODCCTIOyS. 



This species is very common on the Arakan coast, and is sought for as food hy 

 the Burmese in the pools lelt by the tide. The retreat of tlie animal is indicated by a 

 small hole in the sand or gravel, with a few relics, in the shape of fragments of crabs, 

 scattered around. A crushed crab is used as a bait, firmly bound round with string, 

 the ends of which are wound round tlie fisherman's left wrist. The bait is held in 

 front of the hole and is soon perceived by the animal in ambush, who protrudes some 

 of its arms and endeavours to drag the crab into the hole ; this the fisherman prevents 

 bj- firmly planting his knuckles in the sand, and the Cistopus in a little time emerges 

 from his retreat and fastens on the crab. With his right hand the fisherman now 

 diives a sharp sjiike of bamboo through tlie animal's body and secures it. 



Famili/ Argonautidse. 



Aegonauta, Linnecus. 



Males smaller than the females. Females secrete a symmetrical sliell for the 

 protection of the ova, and which has no muscular attachment to the soft parts of the 

 animal. The argonaut swims swiftly in a reversed position with the ' shell ' fii'mly 

 clasped by the arms. 



,, OwENil, Adams and Reeve. 



The Cephalopoda are not only interesting as being the most highly endowed 

 of all invertebrates, but as comprising the only species of that class of creatures 

 which by their size and strength are capable of proving formidable to man and 

 the higher animals. It is true, that as a rule the large Cephalopods, of whoso 

 dimensions and powers we have only lately acquired anything like a precise 

 knowledge, are fortunately rare, and do not evince any disposition to molest 

 mankind; but their aliility to rival the shark in dcstructivcness is undoubted, did 

 their numbers or habits force them obtrusively on our notice. At the present day, 

 however, they are of service, rather than otherwise, to mankind, and a European 

 species, common in the Mediterranean, yields the valuable pigment sepia, whilst 

 almost any species will serve as a most attractive bait, and some species are habitiuilly 

 sought for and so used by fishermen. In the East, moreover, dried cuttle fish 

 are much esteemed as food, and can be bought in Rangoon or any large bazaar 

 in China, and I have little doubt, that were the delicacy introduced into England 

 it would be duly appreciated, and that.' soused cuttle fish' or 'kippered sqmd ' would 

 prove an acceptable addition to the breakfast-table. 



