62 MOLLUSC A. 



surface (<z;;/), covering up all of one side of the shell, 

 except a small part of the spiral and opening, out of 

 which projects a part of the eggs. The male is naked, 

 much smaller than the female, and, like the Octopus, 

 has no internal or external shell. 



Some of the Cephalopoda reach an enormous size. 

 Prof. Verril describes the gigantic Squids of our coast, 

 one of which was on exhibition in Boston not long 

 since, measuring 9.5 feet from tip of tail to the base of 

 the arms ; arms 1 1 feet, and longest arms 30 feet. 



These, and the gigantic Octopi of the tropical seas, 

 have given rise to the tradition of the Kraken. 



In the Marine Chapels along the coast of Europe, 

 figures of huge Octopi, clasping large ships with a 

 frightful perplexity of arms, some curled even around 

 the royal yards, are not uncommon. We have no 

 means of ascertaining how much truth there is in these 

 representations, which are doubtless exaggerations, but 

 that the Sperm w-hales feed on very much larger forms 

 than any yet described, seems probable. 



To complete this hasty sketch, it is necessary only to 

 state that the sexes are distinct ; and that, while repro- 

 duction in some forms takes place by direct conjunc- 

 tions, as in Squids ; in others, as in the Argonauta, one 

 of the arms becomes loaded with spermatozoa, and 

 breaks off, finding its way into the mantle of the female. 

 When first found, it was regarded as a parasite, and 

 described as a distinct, worm-like animal, under the 

 name of Hectocotylus. 



The obvious fact, which strikes the observer in look- 

 ing back over the various forms passed in review, is the 

 almost constant presence of the mantle employed to 



