THE OCTOPUS OUT OF WATER, 39 



This was not very difficult for him to accompUsh, for the partition 

 between the two tanks is only about a foot above the surface of 

 the water. Having accidentally, or otherwise, discovered that 

 there was a preserve of live stock suitable to his palate next door, 

 he paid frequent nocturnal poaching visits to it, and, after clearing 

 up every remnant of his meal, regularly slunk home before day- 

 light ; until, like most criminals, becoming careless by frequently 

 escaping detection, he, on the last occasion, indulged at supper- 

 time in an inordinate gorge, and slept under his neighbour's porch, 

 instead of going home to bed. 



His return homeward at daybreak was caused by no intelligent 

 fear of his keeper, but by a perfectly natural instinct inherited 

 from his ancestors, namely, that of retiring during the day to his 

 own favourite den or lurking-place, as an ogre is supposed to 

 ensconce himself in his castle or cavern after having satiated his 

 rapacious maw in a successful foray. For it must be remembered 

 that the octopus is nocturnal in its habits, and ordinarily hides 

 itself as much as possible during the day, shrinking from the light, 

 which is apparently disagreeable to it : its wanderings in search 

 of food, therefore, generally take place at night."' 



* A few days after the publication in La)id and Water of my account of this 

 occurrence, the following lines appeared in Fun. They were written by its 

 editor, poor dear Tom Hood, who loved all animals — birds, beasts, and fishes 

 — and delighted in conversing with me* about those under my care : — 



THE STRAYING 'TOPUS, 

 A LEGEND OF THE BRIGHTON AQUARIUM. 



Have you heard of the Octopus — 



'Topus of the feelers eight — 

 How he left his tank o'po'pus 



Lump-fish to disintegrate ? 



To the lump-fish tank, as sprightly 



As the Brighton coach, he'd ride ; 

 For two passengers he nightly 



Found convenient room inside. 



