MALACOZOA. CEPHALOPODA. SEPIINA. SEPIOLA. 27 



the third pair largest, and equal in length to the se- 

 cond pair. Body semioYiform or globose, with two sub- 

 dorsal, semicircular, thin natatory appendages ; mantle 

 continuous behind with the skin of the head. 



1. Sepiola RondeUtii, Common Sepiole. 



Body, or visceral sac, short, somewhat flattened, semiovate, 

 much rounded at the end ; with two subdorsal, thin flaps or 

 fins, of a nearly circular form, and curved forward ; their 

 narrowed base longitudinal, and occupying the middle third 

 of the body. The surface is even, of a whitish coloiu, covered 

 all over with numerous discrete, roundish, reddish-brown spots 

 and dots, which are slightly elevated ; the ventral surface paler, 

 with fewer spots, especially along the middle ; the fin-flaps 

 white anteriorly, pale behind, with few dots. The margin of 

 the sac or mantle is free, unless at the back, where it is con- 

 tinuous with the skin of the head; its edge reddish-white, with 

 a slight groove on each side. The infundibulum is considerably 

 flattened, tapering, obtuse, and extends to the base of the arms. 

 Tlie head, including the eyes, is nearly as broad as the body. 

 The eyes are very large, with a somewhat prominent fold 

 beneath, resembling a rudimentary eyelid. The head is 

 crowned with a circle of large fleshy, tapering, subtrigonal 

 arms. The four upper or dorsal arms are much more slender 

 than the four inferior or ventral. The two middle dorsal are a 

 little shorter, but thicker, than those of the second pair, or 

 lateral dorsal. The third pair or lateral ventral are very thick, 

 and rather longer than the second pair. The fourth pair, or 

 the two ventral arms, are more slender, and a little shorter. 

 These two medial ventral arms have at their base internally a 

 prominent smooth space, and for more than two-thirds of their 

 length are furnished with two irregular series of obtuse promi- 

 nent tubercles or suckers. These arms are close together, 

 but separated, at their base. They are connected with the 

 iiext pair by a delicate membrane, extending to about a fourth 

 of their length. These next, or lateral ventral arms, which are 

 the largest, have also a bare space at the base, and are fvunished 

 with two series of suckers. The two upper or dorsal pairs, 

 which are more' slender, have the suckers almost uniserial, or 

 rather irregularly and alternately disposed in two close series. 

 The horny disks are small, with entire margin. On one of the 

 upper arms the prominences are very irregular, and some of 

 ilieni abnormously developed. Two very long, slender, cy- 



