Notes on a Gigantic Cephalopod. 



By K. Milsukuri and S. Ikeda. 



Science College, Tokyo. 

 (With Plate X.) 



As specimens of gigantic cephalopocls are likely in fatnre to come 

 often under the notice of Japanese zoologists, we believe it very desirable 

 to put on record in an easily accessible form the following observations, 

 which we have made on a specimen recently acquired by us. 



This specimen was brought to the Zoological Institute of the 

 Science College ].iy Mr. Zenzo Kondo of Funakata-mura, Province of 

 Awa. According to statements made by him, the animal was caught in 

 a net (ter/uri-ami) by fishermen of his village in the Bay of Tateyama, 

 Awa (on the eastern side of the entrance to the Bay of Tokyo) on Feb. 

 4th of this year. A violent storm had lieen raging for two or three 

 days previously and the animal was probably driven inshore in con- 

 sequence of it. We received it on Feb. Gth and proceeded to make a 

 detailed examination of it on tlie following da};", that is, on the fourth 

 day after its capture. 



General AppE.VEA^T"E of the Spectment : — It was in the 

 frefih condition, i.e., had not been treated with salt or any other 

 preservative, but as only four days had elapsed since its capture and the 

 weather at this season of the year is cold, it was in a tolerably good con- 

 dition. By much rough handling, however, the epidermis had nearly 

 all been worn off or at least loosened and rolled into shreds. The con- 

 nections between the h:^ad and body, although intact, were becoming 

 rather loose. Both eyes were protruding froin their sockets and were 

 l)adly injured. Several of the sessile arms and one of the tentacles had 



