CHAPTER IX. 



ECONOMIC VALUE OF CUTTLE-FISHES. 



I WILL now try to answer M. Hugo's question concerning 

 *' these blasphemies of creation against itself" — " Of what use are 

 such creatures ? What purpose do they serve ? " 



It must not be supposed that in mentioning a few facts relative 

 to their economic value to mankind I consent to the narrow and 

 conceited doctrine that, either by laws fixed from the beginning, 

 or by successive fiats of creation, they were especially provided 

 for the future advantage of the human race. Many genera of 

 them, which formed no unimportant portion of the fauna of the 

 ancient seas, lived and died, and their families became extinct, 

 ages upon ages before man's appearance on the earth. He has, it 

 is true, utilised them to a certain extent, and in various ways. In 

 some parts of the world they are a recognised addition to the food 

 supply of the population; and, in others, the means by which fishes 

 more valuable than themselves are obtained, and become market- 

 able produce. But that this is the sole object of their being, I 

 cannot for a moment suppose j and therefore I am content to 

 believe that the Great Architect of the Universe made them and 

 all things for Himself, and that for His pleasure they are and 

 were created. 



Although the cephalopods are seldom eaten in Great Britain, 

 they are appreciated as food by nearly all other maritime nations. 

 Along the western coast of France, and in the countries bordering 

 on the Mediterranean and Adriatic, they form a portion of the 

 habitual sustenance of the people, and are regularly exposed for 

 sale in the markets, both in a fresh and dried condition. Salted 



