11 



4. On the ventral surface of the mantle sac the 

 brownish chromatophores are larger than in other parts 

 of the mantle, and situated further apart. The prevailing 1 

 colour here is white, with a light, metallic green cast. 



5. The dorsal surface of the visceral dome, like that 

 of the web and head, shows patches of cream in between 

 large flecks of a reddish-buff colour. From the eyes two 

 oblique lines of cream colour slant inwards and meet, 

 forming a light-coloured V on the dorsal surface of the 

 head. The iris of the eye is deep orange in colour. The 

 chromatophores are continued over the free edge of the 

 mantle, for about half an inch inside the pallial cavity. 

 The marbling of the skin is most distinct when the 

 animal is recovering from excitement. When quiet the 

 cream and buf£ flecks fade into one another rather 

 indistinctly, while the intense blush caused by excitement 

 spreads all over the skin and temporarily eliminates the 

 marbling, but when recovering again, the cream flecks 

 show up well against the terra-cotta patches. When the 

 animal is excited the skin becomes of a very dark reddish 

 terra-cotta tinge. After death the eyes become dull, and 

 the skin loses its velvety gloss and beautiful colouration 

 utterly, and becomes overcast with a dull grey tinge. 

 When Eledone is frightened in any way, the skin changes 

 colour, and an intense pallor spreads over it, causing it to 

 become quite ghostly in appearance. At this time the 

 eye stands out very prominently, because the iris remains 

 dark orange, as does the eyelid surrounding it, and thus an 

 orange circular patch marks out the eye, on a whitened 

 body. However, under normal conditions this patch does 

 not stand out in any way. At the same time that the pallor 

 is seen the animal tries to escape by rapidly swimming 

 backwards, and attempts to eject ink. Almost 

 immediately the pallor is replaced by an intense 



