88 A R G O N A U T A. 



himself to the surface of the sea by ejecting a 

 quantity of water, and thus diminishing the spe- 

 cific gravity of his vessel. When floating in a calm, 

 he would throw out two or more tentacula, to 

 serve as oars. If a favouring breeze sprung up, he 

 would stretch a fine membranaceous sail on two 

 extended Innbs, and, steering with his other arms, 

 show his ready skill in naval tactics, by numberless 

 evolutions with his fragile bark. On the approach 

 of danger, he would suddenly haul in all his tackle, 

 and, by a rapid absorption of the water, betake 

 himself to the security of the fathomless abyss, 

 his native dwelling. On account of this talent of 

 quickly discerning and avoiding his pursuers, the 

 sagacious little mariner is seldom taken in the act of 

 sailing, but is usually fished up upon rocky shores, 

 or entangled in the nets of fishermen at sea. 



