ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BITLLETIN. 



649 



OCTOPUS IN RESTING POSITION. 

 One specimen white, the other changing c 

 Photo by L. L. Mowbray. 



sucker-covered ariii.s to the side of the boat that 

 it cannot be loosened without injury. 



The hiding place of the octopus is discovered 

 with the aid of a water glass which renders ob- 

 jects on the bottom quite distinct at a depth of 

 two or three fathoms. This contrivance, used 

 by fishermen generally in the West Indies, is 

 nothing more than a box or bucket with a bottom 

 of glass. Placed on the surface of the water 

 alongside the boat, it is easily managed by in- 

 serting ones face in the open top. The lair of 

 the octopus is indicated by the scattered shells 

 of niollusks or crustaceans, 

 such as oysters, clams, mus- 

 sels, scallops, spiny lobsters 

 and crabs of many kinds ly- 

 ing in front of it. The ani- 

 mal carries most of its food 

 to its hiding |jlace, and the 

 quantity of rejected shells 

 tlirnwn in front of it forms 

 a cons))icuous mound some- 

 t i m e s a yard in diameter 

 and a foot in height. 



In cajituring the octopus 

 alive, the diver tlirusts a 

 handful of salt wrapped in 

 dough into tlie hole occu- 

 pied as a liiding ))lace. 



The immediate softening 

 of the dough envelop liber- 

 ates the salt, which irritates 

 the animal causing it to dart 



out, when it may be seized 

 with the hands. The diver 

 wears a bathing suit and 

 liolds the octopus against 

 his breast with one hand 

 as he swims up to the boat, 

 hi ing careful not to injure 

 it by getting liis fingers 

 under the edge of its man- 

 tle. The animal of course 

 takes hold of the man with 

 its arms, but the diver is 

 not bitten. Contrary t o 

 general belief the octopus, 

 at least when of ordinary 

 size, although armed with 

 a formidable jiarrot-likc 

 beak, is perfectly harm- 

 less, never attempting to 

 bite. 



The octo])us does not 

 discliarge the contents of 

 its ink bag until after it 

 lias darted from its lair. It attempts to retreat 

 under the cover thus afforded, which is sufficient 

 to cloud the water for a couple of feet. While 

 occupying its lair it has the habit of clearing 

 the entrance of any small objects that may be 

 thrown there, by a discharge of water from its 

 siphon. When disturbed it gathers the nearest 

 empty shells, which adhering to the strong suck- 

 ers of its arms, are used as a shield to guard the 

 entrance. Ordinarily it lies quite out of sight, 

 except for one arm held over its eyes, ready to 

 seize prey or protect the entrance. Wlien un- 



OCTOPUS ATTACHED TO THE GLASS FRONT OF THE TANK BY ITS SUCKERS. 

 Photo by L. B. Spencer. 



