78 CLASS VII. MOLLUSCA. 



Jus, &-c., the body consists of a sack formed by the mantle, 

 enveloping all the parts except the head, which projects from 

 it, and is provided with a number of fleshy arms or feet, ta- 

 pering towards their end, frequently of great length and of 

 great power. These arms are capable of being moved in 

 every direction, and are furnished with a large number of 

 suckers in the form of cups, by which the animal can attach 

 itself very closely to whatever object it embraces. They 

 serve for swimming, for creeping, and for seizing prey. In 

 all its motions, the head goes last, so that the animal in a 

 manner pushes itself backward in whatever direction it wishes 

 to move. Between the arms is placed the mouth, which is 

 furnished with two strong jaws of a horny texture, and in 

 shape resembling the beak of a parrot. 



These animals have the power of ejecting a peculiar liquid 

 of a black color, when in any danger, for the purpose of dis- 

 coloring the water of the sea around them, and thus conceal 

 ing themselves from their enemies. The cavity containing 

 this liquid is situated in the abdomen, and is sometimes found 

 in the very substance of the liver. It has been supposed, 

 that the celebrated paint called Indian ink, is made by the 

 Chinese from the inky fluid of some animal of this kind. 



Their eyes are large and perfect. They have an ear ; but 

 no organ for smelling has been discovered, although they prob- 

 ably possess that sense. Their nature is fierce and cruel. 

 They are very voracious, and devour great numbers of fishes, 

 and other aquatic animals. 



Some of the animals of this order grow occasionally to an 

 immense size. This is more particularlv the case with the 

 eight-armed cuttle-fish. In the Indian seas, it is said to at- 

 tain to such a magnitude, that its arms are nine fathoms in 

 length, and the other parts of its body large in proportion. 

 The natives hold it in great dread, fearing that it will lay 

 hold of their boats, and drag them under water. They keep 

 themselves provided with hatchets, to cut off its arms, should 

 any danger arise from this cause.* 



* An account of an enormous animal, which was probably of this kind, is found 

 IF the works of Pliny, who cites it from a writer named Trebius. This animal made 

 its appearance on the coast of Carteia, and was in the habit, during; the night, of 

 robbing of their contents certain reservoirs of salt-fish, which were situated near the 

 sea-side. Its depredations were not prevented by a row of stakes which were so 

 planted as to intercept communication with the sea. It was found that the animal 

 made use of a tree, which grew near the stakes, to assist it in climbing over them, 

 and it was finally attacked, while in the reservoir, by a number of dogs and men 

 Ft ntad a powerful resistance, and lashed the dugs smartly with its arms, but was 



