64 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



" Very good ; but that does not explain by what 

 means the Sepia can so change its colour." 



" The method is very simple. In the interstices of 

 the skin there are globules of different colours. And 

 in accordance with the impressions made on the 

 animal, these globules are expanded or contracted, 

 and so produce the strangest effects. 



" But the most curious point is that not only can 

 the Sepia become pale and change its colour, but it 

 appears also to have the gift of tears. At any rate, their 

 eyes, like our own, are well supplied with lachrymal 

 glands ; but as for telling you what sort of event 

 would be likely to bring tears from the eye of a cuttle- 

 fish, I must admit I cannot, for I have no trustworthy 

 information. 



" The tube which ends at the edges of the sac 

 serves But wait a minute, the creature itself is 

 going to show us its use." 



The Sepia was just then close to the edge, and Ldon 

 stooped as if to take it up, and seeing this the 

 cephalopod contracted the tube and ejected the water 

 it contained, and the rebound caused by this was 

 sufficient to take it to the middle of the pool. 



" A most singular way of walking backwards," 

 said Kene", and then going roundabout he adroitly 

 caught the Sepia in his net and laid it on the sand. 



Black, who had watched all his movements, at once 

 ran two or three times round the quiescent creature, 



