MOLLUSCA. 



189 



The species of Octopus (0. vulgaris. Fig. 178) fouiid on 

 the British shores, and known as the common Poulpc, is of 

 rare occurrence on the Irish coast.* Its strange figure and 

 staring eyes cannot fail to excite astonishment when seen for 

 the first time, more especially when its twisting arms are 



iig. 17».— Octopus ok Poulpe. 



employed in the act of walking, or in that of swimming, by 

 means of the contractions of their connecting membrane. 

 These arms have, however, another office, for which they are 

 elaborately adapted; and as the description given of them by 

 Professor Jones is equally applicable to other Cephalopoda, 

 "we shall adopt the language of that eloquent writer: — 



" The feet or tcntacula appended to tlie head are not, how- 

 ever, exclusively destined to eflect locomotion; they are nsed, 

 if required, as agents in seizing prey, and of so tenible a cha- 

 racter, that armed with these formidable organs, the Poulpe 

 becomes one of the most destnictive inhabitants of the sea; 

 for neither superior strength nor activity, nor even defensive 

 armour, is sufficient to save its victims from the ruthless 

 ferocity of such a foe. A hundred and twenty pair of suckers, 

 more perfect and efficacious than the cupping-glasses of human 

 contrivance, crowd the lower surface of every one of the eight 

 flexible arms. If tlie Poulpe but touch its prey, it is enough ; 



* Another species (^Eledone ventricosa) takes its place, and often its 

 name — II. Ball. 



