246 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
Although, according to the derivation of the word, the cepha- 
lopod is an animal which has its feet attached to its head, yet we 
have only spoken of arms. The fact is, that the long members 
of the head serve many purposes; and, amongst others, they are 
useful as feet when the creature chooses to promenade along the 
bottom, or is forced to walk on the beach, when deserted by 
the treacherous tide. Of course this latter case is altogether an 
accidental position ; but when walking on the bottom of the sea the 
body floats directly above the head, the arms serve as feet, and 
THE ELEGANT CUTTLE-FISH. 
(Sepia elegans.) 
so the cephalopod progresses. A cuttle-fish which is a native of 
the Pacific Ocean can make astonishing leaps; some of them 
have been known to spring so far out of the water as to fall on 
the deck of the ship. Sir James Ross caught more than fifty in 
this way, and some were seen to leap completely over the vessel. 
Not the least interesting feature in the cuttle-fish is the black, 
inky liquid which it secretes in a gland communicating with 
the exterior by a small duct. When pursued, or in any danger, 
the creature ejects some of this liquid, so making a cloud in the 
water, under whose friendly covering it eludes its enemy and 
makes its escape—a stratagem which has been frequently used by 
