REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [ 4 ] 
cannot be saved.' The measurements of the soft external parts of 
Cephalopods are, for the most part, only approximate, and they are not 
all of equal value, for some parts are more changeable in size and shape 
than others. The long, contractile tentacular arms, especially, are lia¬ 
ble to great variation in length according to their state of contraction 
or extension, and therefore their relative length is of little or no value 
in discriminating species. Unfortunately, this, either by itself or com¬ 
bined with the length of the ‘body’ as total length, is often the princi¬ 
pal one given. The circumference of the body varies, likewise, accord¬ 
ing to its state of contraction or relaxation, and the ‘breadth’ of the 
body, when such soft creatures are stranded on the shore, will depend 
much upon the extent to which it is collapsed and flattened from its 
proper cylindrical form, and is of less value than the circumference. 
Measurements of the length of the body, to the mantle-edge, and to the 
bases of the arms; length and circumference of the various pairs of 
short arms; of the length and circumference of the head; size of the 
eyes; length and breadth of the tail-fin; size of the largest suckers on 
the different arms; and size of the ‘club’ of the long anus, are all very 
useful and valuable. The shape of the tail-fin should be carefully noted, 
also the presence or absence of eyelids, and of a sinus or groove at the 
front edge of eyelids. The size and shape of the thin internal ‘ bone’ 
or ‘pen’ is particularly desirable. All parts of Cephalopods contract 
to a very great extent, when preserved in strong alcohol for some time. 
Even the horny jaws and sucker-rings may decrease as much as 20 per 
cent, in size, and the soft parts much more. Usually it will not be pos¬ 
sible to preserve the pen in any satisfactory shape by drying, for it 
cracks in pieces and curls up. It may be preserved packed in salt, in 
brine, or in alcohol. The same is true of the beak. The horny rims of 
the suckers can usually be dried, but are better by far in alcohol or 
brine. The parts most useful for preservation in alcohol or salt, in cases 
when only a portion can be saved, are the long tentacular arms, espe¬ 
cially their terminal ‘clubs,’ with the suckers in place; the short arms, 
with their suckers; of these the left arm of the lower, or ventral, pair 
will probably be the most valuable, being usually the one that will 
show the sexual distinction, by the alteration of its suckers, toward the 
tip or in some other part; the lateral arms next to the ventral are next 
in importance; the caudal fin, and if possible the entire head, should be 
preserved; also the ‘pen,’ if possible. In cases where the head cannot 
be saved entire, even with the arms removed, the beak and tongue, and 
other fleshy parts in and behind the beak, should be carefully preserved, 
as nearly entire as possible, either in strong brine or in alcohol of not 
less than 80 per cent., which is generally the best strength for all kinds 
of Cephalopods. 
