. " 



CHAPTER 1 



IA THK CUTTLE Flsli 



N" :iiiiiii;il ha- excited greater curiosity, whether in ancient or in 

 modem time-.-, than the Cuttle Fi.-h. Itssingular external aspect, and its 

 .liar attitude, together with its uncommon anatomical structure, have 

 alike drawn the attention of the transient observer, incapable of duly 

 appreciating the Mil' 're him, and of the profound philosopher, 



who knows t<> venn-it.- the works of the Divine Architect of Nature. 



An animal which always advances with its head downwards, as if 



: sing the ordinary rules directing living instincts, which contains 

 l)ii t a single bone, or perhaps none in its body, wherein the vital func- 

 tions are preserved by the office of more than a single heart, which 

 discharges an inky lluid from within for concealment amidst the waters, 

 and the eyes of which are opened by death, seem to remove it far 

 apart from the tribes usually brought under our no' 



No wonder, then, that the Sepia has been the theme of many 

 authors, or that errors or prejudice have accompanied its history. 



In certain districts the abundance of the Sepia facilitates the en- 

 quiries of the naturali.-t. In others, he is embarrassed by their \arietv in 

 his neighbourhood, or the total absence in the seasons of migration. 

 Thence nothing farther than correct delineation of living adults, accom- 

 panied by a few remarks on the progress of the embryo towards perfec- 

 tion shall detain us lies 



A 



