100 CEPIIALOPODS AS FOOD. 



And Autiphanes in his "Fomnlo Fisher," says (referring to 



the ink) : 



" Give me some cuttle-fish first. O Hercules, 

 They've dirtied every place with ink ; here take them 

 And wash them clean." 



Anaxilaiis states, according to Plin}', tliat the ink of the Sepia 

 is possessed of such remarkable potency, tliat if it is put into a 

 himp, the light will become entirely changed, and all present 

 will look as black as Ethiopians.* 



"At tlie nuptial feast of Iphicrates, who married the daughter 

 of Cotj'S, King of Thrace, a hundred polypi and sepise were 

 served up. The Greek epicures prized them most when they 

 were in a pregnant condition, and had them cooked with high 

 sauces; while the hard 3^ Lacedwmonian boiled the animals 

 entire, and was not disgusted with the black broth formed by 

 their inky liquor diffusing itself in the water. The Octopus or 

 Pol^qjus was held in highest estimation. The good old story of 

 Philoxenus may be quoted in illustration : 



" ' Of all fish-eaters 

 Xone sure excell'd the lyric bard Philoxenus. 

 'Twas a prodigious twist ! At Syracuse 

 Fate threw him on the fish called ' Many-feet.' 

 He purchas'd it and dre.st it ; and the whole, 

 Tjate me the head, form'd but a single swallow. 

 A crudity ensued — the doctor came. 

 And the first glance inform'd him things went wrong. 

 And ' Friend,' quoth he, ' if thou hast aught to set 

 In order, to it straight ; — pass but seven liours. 

 And thou and life must take a long farewell.' 

 ' I've naught to do,' replied the bard : ' all's light 



And tight about me. 



I were loath, howe'er, 

 To troop with less than all my gear about me ; — 

 (Tood doctor, be my helper then to what 

 Remains of that same blessed Many-feet.' " 



Johnston'' H Introd., Conch. 44. 



Those of our readers wlio desire to i)ursue the cm/ujuities of 

 our subject, are respectfully referred to the veritable "Natural 

 History " of Aldrovandi. Those who prefer modern marvels, 

 will find a choice assortment in a paper entitled : " The Cuttle- 

 Fish and its Allies," published in the Popular Science Monthly., 

 January, 1819. 



*Lovell, Edible Mollusks, p. 174. 



