48 THE OCTOPUS. 



being reserved for seizing. I should think the rate at which both 

 animals went was as fast as a man could possibly walk, i.e , 

 between five and six miles an hour. A larger octopus would 

 undoubtedly cause a man following it to run, unless it chose to 

 turn and face him." 



Both of these accounts of the locomotive powers of the octopus 

 are perfectly clear and definite ; and, therefore, although we may 

 say, with Horatio, — " This is wondrous strange ! " we must either 

 entirely disbelieve two credible witnesses, or apply to the case 

 the aphorism of Hamlet : — " There are more things in heaven 

 and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy." 



