CHAPTER I. 



SEPIA— THE CUTTLE FISH. 



No animal has excited greater curiosity, whether in ancient or in 

 modern times, than the Cuttle Fish. Its singular external aspect, and its 

 peculiar attitude, together with its uncommon anatomical structure, have 

 alike drawn the attention of the transient observer, incapable of duly 

 appreciating the subject before him, and of the profound philosopher, 

 who knows to venerate the works of the Divine Architect of Nature. 



An animal which always advances with its head downwards, as if 

 reversing the ordinary rules directing living instincts, — which contains 

 but a single bone, or perhaps none in its body, wherein the vital func- 

 tions are preserved by the office of more than a single heart, — which 

 discharges an inky fluid from within for concealment amidst the waters, 

 — and the eyes of which are opened by death, — seem to remove it far 

 apart from the tribes usually brought under our notice. 



No wonder, then, that the Sepia has been the theme of many 

 authors, or that errors or prejudice have accompanied its history. 



In certain districts the abundance of the Sepia facilitates the en- 

 quiries of the naturalist. In others, he is embarrassed by their variety in 

 his neighbourhood, or the total absence in the seasons of migration. 

 Thence nothmg farther than correct delineation of living adults, accom- 

 panied by a few remarks on the progress of the embryo towards perfec- 

 tion shall detain us here. 



A 



