SEPIAD.*:. CUTTLE. 265 



The polypus is the symbol of Messina, and, according 

 to Montfaucon, is figured on a medal of that city, with 

 a man's head on the reversed side. 



Pliny recommends the polypus for arresting 'haemor- 

 rhage, it is bruised and then applied ; and he further 

 adds, concerning it, that of itself it emits a sort of 

 brine, and therefore needs none to be used when it is 

 cooked; that it should be sliced with a reed, as it is 

 spoilt if an iron knife is used, " becoming tainted 

 thereby, owing to the antipathy which naturally exists 

 between it and iron," and Dalecbamps suggests that 

 this means, " it being the nature of flesh to cling to the 

 knife/''* 



In France, Octopus vulgaris is highly prized for bait, 

 and is also considered very good as food, and in ' Life 

 in Normandy ' is the following recipe for cooking it. : — 

 " A dish of cuttle-fish is divided in the centre by a 

 slice of toast; on one side of the toast is a mass of 

 cuttle-fish stewed with a white sauce, and on the other, 

 a pile of them beautifully fried, of a clear even colour, 

 without the slightest appearance of grease. The flour 

 of haricot-bean, very finely ground, and which is as good 

 as bread-crumbs, is added." 



To Cook Cuttles (Mont St. Michel Recipe). — First 

 place them in boiling water and allow them to remain 

 some time in order to make them tender. Then cut 

 them in pieces and boil them with vegetables and 

 onions, then fry them in a paste made of batter. 



The water in which the fish has been boiled is used 

 for soup.f 



" To Cook Cuttles. — First cleanse them thoroughly 

 by scalding ; then rub the body and legs (feelers ?) with 



* Pliny ' Nat. Hist.' vol. vi. bk. xxxii. c. 42. *f* Ozenne. 



