44 THE OCTOPUS. 



arrived, and taking me down to the boat, during which I was 

 employed in keeping the beak away from my hand, quickly 

 released me by destroying my tormentor with the boat-knife, 

 when I disengaged it by portions at a time. This animal must 

 have measured across its expanded arms about four feet, w^hile its 

 body was not larger than a large clenched hand. It was that 

 kind of sepia called by whalers ' rock-squid.' " 



It was neither a '' sepia " nor a " squid," but an octopus of very 

 moderate size. The enraged animal liftmg its head and spi'inging 

 on Mr. Beale's arm is very sensational, but very inaccurate ; and 

 it is simply impossible that he could have seen the beak whilst 

 the animal was endeavouring to get it info position to bite him. 

 The tragic killing of his " tormentor " with the boat-knife, and 

 disengagement of its arms, bit by bit, was quite unnecessary. If 

 he had grasped it firmly round the neck it would have instantly 

 let go its hold. Aristotle was well aware of this, and it may be 

 well for bathers to remember it. 



I have frequently allowed an octopus to fix itself upon, and 

 crawl over, my bare arm. It can always be detached in this 

 manner. None have ever attempted to bite me. But although it 

 is " nothing when you are used to it," it is not pleasant to have a 

 stranger, of whose proclivities you know nothing, fasten himself 

 upon you with such demonstration of attachment. To have the 

 long, cold, damp arms of an octopus writhing and twining about 

 one's wrist and hand, and fastening its hundreds of sucking 

 cups all over them, gives a singularly uncomfortable sensation — 

 the kind of feeling most persons would experience on grasping a 

 handful of lively snakes — so Mr. Beale may be excused for 

 allowing his terror to excite his imagination and overcome his 

 judgment. 



The fishermen of the Mediterranean have a summary method of 

 killing the octopus or cuttle. They turn back the arms over the 

 head, and seizing the latter with their teeth compress it in the 

 region of the brain. Death is instantaneous. 



