228 



NATURAL HISTORY OF OUR SHORES 



a moment. The top mandible descends and closes within 

 the under one, but in such a way that the sharp edge of 



Fig. 99. End of one of the long arms of Sepia, showing 

 stalked suckers and their shelly ring (extended 

 with pins). Natural size 



the vertical plate works obliquely upon the sharp edge 

 of the lower mandible, thus acting like a pair of shears. 



I have not seen Sepia attack a living fish, but have 

 watched a pair feeding on a dead dog-fish. The scissor- 

 like beak cuts openings of sufficient size to the interior of 



