REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [ 72 ] 
tliat none of the latter that have hitherto been examined by naturalists 
reach dimensions to be compared with those of the species of Architeu- 
tliis , Moroteuthis robust a, and their allies. 
The common Octopus of the west coast of North America (0. punctatus 
Gabb) is one of the largest of its tribe hitherto studied. According to 
Mr. W. H. Dali,* it occurs abundantly at Sitka, and there “reaches a 
length of 1G feet, or a radial spread of nearly 28 feet, but the whole 
mass is much smaller than that of the decapodous Cephalopods of lesser 
length. In the Octopus above mentioned the body would not exceed 6 
inches in diameter and a foot in length, and the arms attain an extreme 
tenuity toward their tips.” Dr. W. O. Ayres tells me that he has often 
seen this species exposed for sale in the markets of San Francisco 
(where it is eaten chiefly by the French), and that specimens with the 
arms 6 or 7 feet long are common. A smaller specimen, presented to the 
museum of Yale College, was over 4 feet long and weighed 14^ pounds. 
Prof. W. H. Brewer states that he has seen specimens in the San 
Francisco markets winch spread 14 feet across the outstretched arms. 
The common Octopus vulgaris (“poulpe” or “devil-fish”) of the Medi¬ 
terranean, Bermuda, and West Indies sometimes grows to a somewhat 
formidable size. According to Yerany, the largest one seen by him was 
9 feet long and weighed 25 kilograms (Tryon). This one was captured 
by a fisherman with his hands only. 
A large species, perhaps the same, occurs in the West Indies. Ac¬ 
cording to Prof. B. G. Wilder,! a correspondent, Mr. J. S. George, of 
Nassau, New Providence, mentions in a letter the occurrence there of 
an Octopus “ 10 feet long, each arm measuring 5 feet; the weight was 
estimated at between two hundred and three hundred pounds.” It was 
found dead on the beach. This estimate of the weight is altogether oyt 
of proportion to the measurements given, which would correspond to a 
weight of not more than thirty or forty pounds at the utmost. 
Specimens of similar size have been recorded from other parts of the 
world, while more or less fabulous accounts of more gigantic forms are 
numerous, especially among the early writers. Fragments of huge 
species of Octopus are said by many writers to have been vomited by 
wounded sperm-whales, but no scientific examination of any of these 
has been made. At present it seems most probable that all the large 
fragments recorded as being vomited by sperm-whales belong to species 
allied to Architeuthis. 
There is no satisfactory evidence that any of these species of Octopus ever 
intentionally attack man, or that any one has ever been seriously injured 
by them. They are rather sluggish and timid creatures, seeking shelter 
in holes and crevices among rocks. They feed mainly upon bivalve mol- 
lusks and Crustacea, but will also eat fish, and may, perhaps, like lobsters 
and crabs, devour the bodies of persons who have been drowned. There 
* American Naturalist, vol. vii, p. 485, 1873. 
t American Naturalist, vol. vi, p. 772, 1872 
