CEPHALOPODA. 559 



(1502.) In Pneumodermon, again, the branchiae occupy a totally dif- 

 ferent situation, the branchial leaflets being arranged in semicircular 

 lines upon the posterior extremity of the animal ; but such modifications 

 of a general type of structure are of more interest to the zoologist than 

 to the physiological reader, and our space warns us that we have yet 

 to encounter forms of life widely different from any that have hitherto 

 fallen under our notice. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



CEPHALOPODA* (Cuvier). 



(1503.) WE now arrive at the highest order of MOLLTTSCA, composed of 

 animals distinguished by most strange and paradoxical characters, and 

 exhibiting forms so uncouth, that the young zoologist who for the first 

 time encounters one of these creatures may well be startled at the 

 anomalous appearance presented by beings so remote in their external 

 construction from everything with which he has been familiar. 



(1504.) Let him conceive an animal whose body is a closed bag, con- 

 taining the viscera connected with digestion, circulation, and reproduc- 

 tion, furnished with a head and staring eyes that upon the head are 

 supported numerous and complex organs of locomotion, used as feet or 

 instruments of prehension moreover, that in the centre of the loco- 

 motive apparatus, thus singularly situated, is a strong and sharp horny 

 beak resembling that of a parrot and he will rudely picture to himself 

 a Cephalopod, such as we are now about to describe. 



(1505.) The Octopus vulgaris, or common Poulpe, represented in the 

 next figure, will serve as an example calculated to prove, we apprehend, 

 that the above is no exaggerated statement ; and should the student 

 unexpectedly observe an animal of this kind walking towards him upon 

 the beach in the position there delineated, his curiosity would doubtless 

 be excited to learn something of its habits and economy. 



(1506.) Yet not only can the Poulpe walk in the manner exhibited 

 in the subjoined figure (fig. 280), but it is well able to swim, if occasion 

 require, the broad fleshy expansion that connects the bases of its eight 

 legs being fully adequate to enable it to adopt such a mode of progres- 

 sion; for, by vigorous flappings of this extensive organ, the animal 

 actively impels itself through the water in a backward direction and 

 shoots along with wonderful facility. 



(1507.) The feet or tentacula appended to the head are not, however, 

 exclusively destined to effect locomotion : they are used, if required, as 



* Ke<f>a\ri, the head ; TTOVS, TTO^OS, the foot. 



