Armoured Myriads and Monsters 



Yet neither strength nor speed, nor grasping 

 arms, nor clinging suckers, nor tiger-like claws, 

 nor parrot-like beak, can protect the cuttlefish 

 against its supreme foe, the Sperm whale. 



But it has a method of defence, or rather 

 of escape, often efficacious even here. When 

 in danger, it is able to pour forth a copious 

 stream of black liquid, which so thickens and 

 darkens the water around, that the wily creature 

 is hidden, and slips away beyond reach of its 

 pursuer. 



The nervous system of the Cuttlefish is more 

 developed than that of other Molluscs. Indeed, 

 from the remarkable changes of colour seen when 

 it is excited, and the tubercles which spring to 

 view on its skin if it is made angry, one would be 

 inclined to speak of its temperament as "highly 

 irritable." It also shows much more under- 

 standing than its cousins, the oysters and the 

 clams. 



219 



