Tin- Cuttle Fish. like tin- linger proportion of tin; aquatic tribe*, 

 tuutw it race by spawn, consisting of a cluster of longer or *h<>rt. -r 



cylinders or' -.. ith a rude roemblanci; to grapes, ami then. 



time* paaung by that denomination. These are exceedingly various in 



number ami quantity. cluster* being aeen of thirty ovoids attached t., 

 mion -ul.-tance by their pedicles. Much irregularity and disparity 

 -r. probably depending on the species of the parent, its age <>\- 



The pp--> extend from nn- inrh to three or lour: the short. -i ,.f .1 



. i|!initly of as great diameter aa the longer. In a cluster of 

 even, they extended from nine to fifteen lines. The surface of the 

 spawn is smooth, often of such lubricity that it can be scarcely reUiiim! 

 in the hand ; its colour dingy white or watery blue. It is transparent 

 or opaque, according to the maturity of its contents, which, by tin ii 

 advances, raise the surface of the spawn in prominence*. 



Now, we find n striking correspondence with the propagation of 

 of the tribes of aquatic animals previously noticed. Like the 

 spawn of these, that of the Cuttle Fish consist* of an indefinite numl 

 ova or capsules, each with an embryonic nucleus, imbedded in an albu- 

 minous mass. Also, as the nucleus IB advancing, the swelling of tin- 

 capsules augments the common mass, until the embryo issues forth 

 pared for independent existence. 



An immediate parallel may be drawn between the evolution of the 

 different triln.* ; and, could we discover it, the origin of life, and the pro- 

 gress of evolution, pervades animated nature under determinate analogies. 



A grape of the spawn of the Sepia loligo was set apart for observa- 

 tion on May 15. It extended nearly four inches, with a slight curvatur. . 

 and tapered slightly, one end being thicker than the other. In four days 

 each ovum appeared to be a perfect -|>h>Te, containing an ovoid of much 

 -mailer dimensions, lying on the lower part within. Its place shift- 

 with the altered position of the grupe, and is always the lowest. It 

 mi-^ht extend equal to one-third of the diameter of the spl 

 thickness a fifth of that diameter. 



From the expansion of the ova, the grape had enlarged three days 

 subsequently ; and, from the same cause, about twelve convexities row 



