2 SEPIA. 



The Sepia consists of two conspicuous principal portions, an elongated, 

 or an ovoidal sac, containing the viscera ; and a number of living and 

 strong arms beyond it, issuing from a common web or margin. The 

 mouth is in the centre of these arms, which serve as feet when the ani- 

 mal is stationary, or as it advances. Then the bottom of the sac or bag 

 is aloft or upwards, so that the mouth, eyes, and other parts constituting 

 the head, are downwards amidst the roots of the arms or tentacula. 



From these peculiarities, the race of Cuttle Fish is denominated 

 Cephalopode a name which, if explicable, means walker on the head. 

 But it seems inconsistent. 



Perspicuous details of the anatomy of various species of these ani- 

 mals will.be found in the works of several distinguished physiologists, 

 such as Martin Lister, the late Dr Alexander Monro, Dr Grant, Cuvier, 

 Delle Chiaje, and others. The last has obviously had many specimens. 



The subdivisions and peculiar nomenclature recently appropriated 

 to them, may be also found in the works of the later authors. 



Without dwelling on these minutiae, let it be remembered, that in a 

 comprehensive view of the natural history of living animals, it is from 

 common features from something belonging to separate species, that 

 genera are constituted. 



1. SEPIA. OCTOPUS VULGARIS The Eight Arm Cuttle Fish. Plate I. 



This animal is of frequent occurrence in the Scotish seas, from 

 March until November, within which interval it is sometimes taken by 

 the oyster dredgers uninjured, as well as by other fishermen. 



The examples are of various dimensions ; but, in as far as I under- 

 stand, seldom diminutive, which argues their retreat from our shores, if 

 these be the place of their nativity. 



Specimens usually extend about eight or ten inches from the i'\- 

 tremity of the sac to the extremity of the tentacula. 



Only one has occurred much longer, as follows : Total extent nine- 

 teen inches ; length of the sac five inches ; from the extremity of the 



