THE CUTTLE. 69 
enclosed within it renders the whole lighter than 
water. 
The Cuttle is about a foot in length, of an oblong 
form. Its colour is a dull, dirty white, mottled and 
spotted with those 
changing veins of 
fluid, already de- 
scribed, of a reddish 
brown hue. ‘The 
texture of the body 
is soft and flabby, 
but, notwithstanding 
its unpleasing ap- 
pearance, it forms 
a wholesome and 
agreeable dish wher- 
ever prejudice does 
not preclude its use. | 
When well cooked 
the flesh is tender and 
digestible, bearing 
considerable resem- 
blance to tripe. 
I have already al- 
luded to the inky 
fluid secreted in an 
internal reservoir 
within the body of 
the Cuttle. It is 
poured forth in co- 
pious quantity from a funnel-like tube beneath the 
mantle, and is intended as a means of concealment, 
and of annoyance to its pursuers. “A gallant officer 
who was inconsiderately collecting shells in a pair 
of immaculate white trowsers, came suddenly upon 
CUTTLE. 
