134 ARGONAUTA. 



SN-nouyiii oi" Argonauta^ Liiiii — a genoric name given to the shell 

 only, with (jO years priority. 



There is considerable difference between tlie animals of 

 Argonauta tuberculosa and A. hiav><. In A. tuberculosa the sac- 

 like mantle is more ovoid and elongated ; thje head is narrower ; 

 the infundibulnm is broader, shorter, and furnished at the upper 

 and anterior extremity with two conical prolongations ; the eyes 

 are considerably larger and slightly more prominent ; the ten- 

 tacular arms are shorter in comparison, and of greater width, 

 more iiarticularly at their l)asal portions. The suckers are much 

 larger, more prominent, and placed closer together. This species 

 varies also considerably in color from A. Mans. The extremities 

 of the brachia are marbled with deep red-brown ; and, in the 

 other parts, are covered with large irregular, oval, reddish 

 blotches, each margined with a dark color. The circumference 

 of the suckers is marked with brown spots. The uppei" surftice 

 of the infundibulnm is covered with pale pink, rather scattered, 

 and irregular quadrate blotches, margined with a dark red-brown. 

 The mantle, on the dorsal surface, is densely sprinkled with 

 round and square spots of a chestnut-brown and crimson, of 

 different sizes. Tlie velamenta are minutely i)unctulated with 

 crimson and red-brown, and have a more bluish tinge tlian those 

 of A. hians. The under surface is mottled and punctulated with 

 dark chocolate on the arms, and on the body, is marked with 

 small, irregular, dark, red-brown sijots. 



In Argonauta Mans the body is more globose, and broader 

 from side to side, the head is much wider and the tentacles are 

 narrower and more elongated. The suckers aie less elevated, 

 smaller in comparison, and situated at a greatei- distance from 

 each otlier. The mantle is covered with round si)ots and longi- 

 tudinal linear markings of a bright crimson color. The entire 

 animal wants the brown, dark appearance produced ])y the 

 markings of A. tuberculosa, and is of a lighter tinge and nu)re 

 delicate apjjca ranee.* 



The Argonaut or Paper Sailor is the Nautilus of the ancients. 



The pretty fable of the Argonaut, raising hei- velamentous 

 arms, sail-like to catch the breeze, has Ix^en illustrated in both 



* A. Adams, Narrative of Voy. Samarang, ii, 526, 1848. 



