THE OCTOPUS. 195 
into an aquarium of huge proportions, crowded 
with endless varieties of curious sea-monsters; 
although grotesque and ugly to look at, yet all 
alike displaying the wondrous works of Creative 
wisdom. In all the cosy little nooks and corners 
of the harbour the great seawrack (Macrocystis ) 
grows wildly, having a straight round stem that 
comes up from the bottom, often with a stalk 
three hundred feet long; reaching the surface, 
it spreads out two long tapering leaves that float 
upon the water: this sea-forest is the favourite 
hunting-ground of octopi. 
I do not think, in its native element, an 
octopus often catches prey on the ground or on 
the rocks, but waits for them just as the spider 
does, only the octopus converts itself into a web, 
and a fearful web too. Fastening one arm to 
a stout stalk, stiffening out the other seven, 
one would hardly know it from the wrack 
amongst which it is concealed. Patiently he 
bides his time, until presently a shoal of fish 
come gaily on, threading their way through the 
sea-trees, joyously happy, and little dreaming 
that this lurking monster, so artfully concealed, 
is close at hand. Two or three of them rub 
against the arms: fatal touch! As though a 
powerful electric shock had passed through the 
o:2 
