[113] CEPHALOPODS OF NORTHEASTERN COAST OF AMERICA. 323 



of larger, oblique, dentate ones, of which seven to nine in each row 

 are decidedly the largest ; alternating with these, on each margin, there 

 is a row of smaller, more oblique, sharply denticulate, marginal suckers; 

 distal face of the club narrowed and covered with four rows of minute 

 crowded suckers, and a small cluster at the tip ; the proximal part of the 

 club has an irregular group of few, small, denticulate suckers, beyond 

 which, extending down on the upper margin of the arm, is a row of about 

 live or six or more small, smooth-edged, connective suckers, alternating 

 with small round tubercles of corresponding size; along the lower edge 

 of the arm, for about the same distance, there is a row of more minute 

 pediceled suckers. The horny rings of the larger median suckers are 

 oblique, and the edge is divided into many small slender teeth, longer 

 on the outer or higher margin; the teeth of the marginal suckers are 

 similar, but more unequal and more incurved. 



Specimens in alcohol generally show a distinct dark purplish brown 

 dorsal stripe, where the chromatophores are very much crowded. 



According to D'Orbigny (Hist. Cuba, Moll., p. 62) the colors of this 

 species, when living, are very brilliant, and are continually changing. 

 Along the middle dorsal line there is a broad violet stripe, with a stripe 

 of reddish yellow on each side of it. These bands are closely defined, 

 and do not grade into each other. Body elsewhere bluish; fins rosy, 

 with a carmine-red tint each side of the, darker median stripe. The sur- 

 face is throughout covered with small reddish-violet chromatophores. 

 The head is dark violet above, rosy beneath. Upon the eyes there are 

 two elongated spots of brilliant blue, and below a spot of bright red. 



The color of the ink, according to the same authority, is not black, 

 but coffee-and-milk color. It is emitted very rapidly and discolors a 

 large area. Length of body, 150 mm ; diameter, 27 mm ; diameter of head, 

 29mm. i eil gth of tentacular arms, 75 mm ; length of dorsal arms, 42 mm ; 

 length of third pair, 56 mm ; length of fourth pair, 50 mm ; length of cau- 

 dal fin, 60 mm ; breadth of fin, 95 mm . 



A young specimen, in alcohol, has the following dimensions : Total 

 length to tips of lateral arms, 121 mm ; tail to base of arms, 93 mm ; body, 

 82 mm ; length of caudal fin, to insertion, 29 mm ; its breadth, 58 mm ; diam- 

 eter of body, 16 mm ; length of tentacular arms, 48 mm . 



Middle Atlantic and West Indies to Brazil and Cape of Good Hope. 

 Banges chiefly between 35° south and 35° north latitude ; common in 

 the region of the Gulf Stream. 



This is an exceedingly active species, swimming with great velocity, 

 and not rarely leaping so high out of the water as to fall on the decks 

 of vessels.* On this account it has been called the "flying squid" by 

 sailors. 



* D'Orbigny (Hist. Cuba, Moll., p. 62) relates that in a beautiful night in October, 

 at 34° south latitude, off South America, he himself saw two specimens leap out of 

 the water so high as to fall on the deck of the vessel, which was nearly fifteen feet ■ 

 above the surface of the water. It is supposed that this is done in their efforts to 

 escape from predatory fishes that pursue them. 



