PEARLY NAUTILUS. 407 



the Pearly Nautilus ; {Nautilus pompilius ;) it 

 was captured and brought on board, but the 

 shell was shattered from having been struck with 

 the boat-hook in capturing it, as the animal was 

 sinking, when the boat approached, and had it 

 not been so damaged would have escaped. 



I extracted the fish in a perfect state, which 

 was firmly attached to each side of the upper 

 cavity of the shell. On being brought on board, 

 I observed it retract the tentacula still closer 

 than before, and this was the only sensation of 

 vitality it gave after being caught ; I preserved 

 the soft parts immediately in spirits, after making 

 a rude pen and ink sketch of its form. 



On breaking the lower part of the shell, the 

 chambers, or cavities, were found filled with 

 water. 



The hood has been stated by Dr. Shaw 

 (Lectures, vol, ii. p. 165) " as being of a 

 pale reddish purple colour, with deeper spots 

 and variegations;" the colour, however, as it 

 appeared in this recent specimen, was of a dark 

 reddish brown, in fact, resembling the colour 

 produced by the Koka on the stained cloth of 

 the Tongatabu natives, intermingled with white. 



We had fine weather — light winds and calms, 

 a day or two previous to this animal being 

 caught. 



