4 SEPIA. 



wine, the body immediately became dark-brown, which was converted 

 into dull-red. 



Anatomists explain that the tube is an excretory canal. Water is 

 powerfully discharged by it, — perhaps indicating the strength of the 

 specimen. 



As is w'ell known, a black liquid is also discharged from the tube by 

 this animal, whence it is frequently called the Ink Fish. Its use is doubt- 

 ful, nor is there much probability of any truth in the ordinary hypothe- 

 sis that it is for concealment. Nature, we have too often occasion to 

 i-epeat, seems less solicitous about the individual than its genus. This 

 discharge is sometimes pi'ofuse. 



A specimen rather smaller than the figure was originally weak, 

 though the eyelids were nearly close, and its adherence proved slight by 

 the suckers. Its colour, faint tile-red, which became very pale in the 

 evening. Having crawled out of the water, it did not adhere when 

 returned ; and the eye opened wide, then appearing set in a golden orbit. 

 No symjitoms of life were indicated next morning. Yet, on replenish- 

 ment of its vessel, the red was renovated, especially tawards the exterior 

 of the back ; and still, without any sensible animation, very black ink 

 was discharged. In twenty-four hours the colour darkened again, re- 

 maining permanently as brick-dust. 



All Cuttle Fish seem migratory. Probably they seek deep water in 

 winter. Many are cast ashore in spring and summer, but probably in a 

 weak or dying state. Then they never fail to excite tlie curiosity of the 

 passenger. 



I am ignorant of any representation of this animal from the life. 

 Indeed, it is difficult to obtain a perfect delineation from a single speci- 

 men. When living, the eyes are little more than half-open, or appear 

 only through a slit, the tentacula variously occupied, or in considerable 

 regularity. When dead they are distorted, the eyes prominent and wide 

 open. 



Plate I. 



Fig. 1 . Sepia — Octopus vulgaris. 



