[ 113 ] CEPHALOPODS OF NORTHEASTERN COAST OF AMERICA. 
of larger, oblique, dentate ones, of which seven to nine in each row 
are decidedly the largest; alternating with these, on each margin, there 
is a row of smaller, more oblique, sharply denticulate, marginal suckers; 
distal face of the club narrowed and covered with four rows of minute 
crowded suckers, and a small cluster at the tip; the proximal part of the 
club has an irregular group of few, small, denticulate suckers, beyond 
which, extending down on the upper margin of the arm, is a row of about 
five or six or more small, smooth-edged, connective suckers, alternating 
with small round tubercles of corresponding size; along the lower edge 
of the arm, for about the same distance, there is a row of more minute 
pediceled suckers. The horny rings of the larger median suckers are 
oblique, and the edge is divided into many small slender teeth, longer 
on the outer or higher margin; the teeth of the marginal suckers are 
similar, but more unequal and more incurved. 
Specimens in alcohol generally show a distinct dark purplish brown 
dorsal stripe, where the chromatophores are very much crowded. 
According to D’Orbigny (Hist. Cuba, Moll., p. 62) the colors of this 
species, when living, are very brilliant, and are continually changing. 
Along the middle dorsal line there is a broad violet stripe, with a stripe 
of reddish yellow on each side of it. These bands are closely defined, 
and do not grade into each other. Body elsewhere blnish; fins rosy, 
with a carmine-red tint each side of the darker median stripe. The sur¬ 
face is throughout covered with small reddish-violet chromatophores. 
The head is dark violet above, rosy beneath. Upon the eyes there are 
two elongated spots of brilliant blue, and below a spot of bright red. 
The color of the ink, according to the same authority, is not black, 
but coffee-and-milk color. It is emitted very rapidly and discolors a 
large area. Length of body, 150 mm ; diameter, 27 mm ; diameter of head, 
29 mm ; length of tentacular arms, 75 mm ; length of dorsal arms, 42 mm ; 
length of third pair, 56“ m ; length of fourth pair, 50 mm ; length of cau¬ 
dal fin, G0 mm ; breadth of fin, 95 mm . 
A young specimen, in alcohol, has the following dimensions : Total 
length to tips of lateral arms, 121 nira ; tail to base of arms, 93 mm ; body, 
82 mm ; length of caudal fin, to insertion, 29 mm ; its breadth, 58 mm ; diam¬ 
eter of body, 16 mm ; length of tentacular arms, 4S mm . 
Middle Atlantic and West Indies to Brazil and Cape of Good Hope. 
Ranges chiefly between 35° south and 35° north latitude; common in 
the region of the Gulf Stream. 
This is an exceedingly active species, swimming with great velocity, 
and not rarely leaping so high out of the water as to fall on the decks 
of vessels.* On this account it has been called the “ flying squid ” by 
sailors. 
* D’Orbigny (Hist. Cuba, Moll., p. 62) relates that in a beautiful night in October, 
at 34° south latitude, off South America, he himself saw two specimens leap out of 
the water so high as to fall on the deck of the vessel, which was nearly fifteen feet 
above the surface of the water. It is supposed that this is done in their efforts to 
escape from predatory fishes that pursue them. 
