282 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [72] 



that none of the latter that have hjtherto been examined by naturalists 

 reach dimensions to be compared with those of the species of Arckiteu- 

 this, Moroteutlm robusta, and their allies. 



The common Octopus of the west coast of North America (0. punctatus 

 Gabb) is one of the largest of its tribe hitherto studied. According to 

 Mr. W. H. Dall,* it occurs abundantly at Sitka, and there " reaches a 

 length of 10 feet, or a radial spread of nearly 28 feet, but the whole 

 mass is much smaller than that of the decapodous Cephalopods of lesser 

 length. In the Octopus above mentioned the body would not exceed 6 

 inches in diameter and a foot in length, and the arms attain an extreme 

 tenuity toward their tips." Dr. W. O. Ayres tells me that he has often 

 seen this species exposed for sale in the markets of San Francisco 

 (where it is eaten chiefly by the French), and that, specimens with the 

 arms G or 7 feet long are common. A smaller specimen, presented to the 

 museum of Yale College, was over 4 feet long and weighed 14i pounds. 



Prof. W. H. Brewer states that he has seen specimens in the San 

 Francisco markets winch spread 14 feet across the outstretched arms. 



The common Octopus vulgaris ("poulpe" or "devil-fish") of the Medi- 

 terranean, Bermuda, and West Indies sometimes grows to a somewhat 

 formidable size. According to Yerany, the largest one seen by him was 

 9 feet long and weighed 25 kilograms (Tryon). This one was captured 

 by a fisherman with his hands only. 



A large species, perhaps the same, occurs in the West Indies. Ac- 

 cording to Prof. B. G. Wilder,! a correspondent, Mr. J. S. George, of 

 Nassau, New Provideuce, mentions in a letter the occurrence there of 

 an Octopus "10 feet long, each arm measuring 5 feet; the weight was 

 estimated at between two hundred and three hundred pounds.'' It was 

 found dead on the beach. This estimate of the weight is altogether out 

 of proportion to the measurements given, which would correspond to a 

 weight of not more than thirty or forty pounds at the utmost. 



Specimens of similar size have been recorded from other parts of the 

 world, while more or less fabulous accounts of more gigantic forms are 

 numerous, especially among the early writers. Fragments of huge 

 species of Octopus are said by many writers to have been vomited by 

 wounded sperm-whales, but no scientific examination of any of these 

 has been made. At present it seems most probable that all the large 

 fragments recorded as being vomited by sperm-whales belong to species 

 allied to Architeuthis. 



There is no satisfactory evidence that any of these species of Octopus ever 

 intentionally attack man, or that any one has ever been seriously injured 

 by them. They are rather sluggish and timid creatures, seeking shelter 

 in holes and crevices among rocks. They feed mainly upon bivalve mol- 

 lusks and Crustacea, but will also eat fish, and may, perhaps, like lobsters 

 and crabs, devour the bodies of persons who have been drowned. There 



* American Naturalist, vol. vii, p. 485, 1873. 

 t American Naturalist, vol. vi, p. 772, 1872 



