CHAPTER VII. 



SPAWNING OF THE OCTOPUS. 



The first instance of the octopus spawning in an aquarium in 

 this country occurred at Brighton on the 19th of June, 1873. -^ 

 large female octopus, caught at Dieppe, was brought in on the 

 26th of the preceding April, and, immediately on her arrival, a 

 fine male previously received from Mevagissey conceived a liking 

 for her, and evidently rejoicing in the good fortune which had 

 provided for him a suitable mate, paid her such assiduous court, 

 that his addresses were quickly accepted. It was a case of " love 

 at first sight," and in three days the captive damsel was wooed and 

 won. The event above mentioned was, therefore, not unexpected. 

 Our octopus, fortunately selected as a suitable site for her nest, 

 a recess in the rock-work, close to the front glass of the tank, so 

 that her movements could be easily observed. Her body just 

 filled the entrance to it, and she further strengthened its defences 

 by dragging to the mouth of her cavern two dozen or more of 

 living oysters, and piling them one on another to form a breast- 

 work or barricade, behind which she ensconced herself. Over 

 this rampart she peered with her great, sleepless, prominent eyes ; 

 her two foremost arms extended beyond it, their extremities coil- 

 ing and writhing in ceaseless motion, as if prepared to strike out 

 right and left at any intruder. She seemed never to be taken 

 unawares, and was no more to be caught napping than a cunning 

 middy " caulking it " in the middle watch. Couchant, and on 

 the " look-out," like Sir Edwin Landseer's lions, she barred with 

 her body the passage to her den, ready to defend it against all 

 foes. Her companions evidently felt that it was dangerous to 



