CHAPTER VIII. 



CUTTLES AND SQUIDS. 



The common cuttle-fish {Sepia officinalis), (often called by 

 sailors the " scuttle "), though flabby and clammy in death, is a 

 lovely object when alive. Unlike, the skulking, hiding octopus, 

 but equally rapacious, it loves the day-light and the freedom of 



Fig. 7. The common Cuttle-fish {Sepia pfficinalis), and its internal shall or 



sepiostaire. 



the open sea. Its predatory acts are not those of a conceale- ; 

 and ambushed brigand lying in wait behind a rock, or peeping 

 furtively from within the gloomy shadow of a cave ; but it may better 

 be compared to the war-like Comanche vidette, seated motion- 



F 2 



