THE CEPHALOPODOUS MOLLUSCS. 143 



"The cephalopodous molluscs/' says Figuier, a writer who in descriptive powers is an 

 artistic scientist and a scientific artist, "are indeed highly organised for molluscs, for they 

 possess in a high degree the sense of sight, hearing, and touch. They appear with the 

 earlier animals which present themselves on the earth, and they are numerous even now, 

 although they are far from playing the important part that was assigned to them in the 

 early ages of organic life upon our planet. The Ammonites and Belemnites existed by 

 thousands among the beings which peopled the seas during the secondary epoch in the 

 history of the globe." The Cephalopods were divided by Professor Owen into two great 

 orders, Tetrabranchiata, or animals having four gills, and the Dibrauchiata, having 

 two gills. The first order has at this epoch but one genus, that of Nautilus. This 

 group of animals belongs emphatically to the earlier ages of our globe, " is becoming 

 gradually extinct, and presents in our days only some species very rare and few, especially 

 when we compare them with the prodigious numbers of these beings which animated the 

 seas of the ancient world/' It is a fact that the empty shells of the nautilus are more 

 commonly found floating on the ocean than those which are inhabited. No doubt the living 

 nautilus falls a prey either to larger marine animals, or, likely enough, to sea-fowl. Is it 

 not also possible that the lone animal, knowing the fate of its ancestors, and how they 

 lie buried in barren strata, overwhelmed with melancholy apprehensions of his own future, 

 jumps overboard and drowns himself? This suggestion is not to be found among the 

 recognised authorities. 



On the sea this scion of a decayed family is a graceful object, and in fine weather 

 projects his head and tentacles, and takes a general inspection of the ocean. On land, 

 however, he does not shine to so much advantage, for there he has to drag himself over 

 the ground, head down and body and shell up. The shell has a regularly convoluted form, 

 and is divided into cells ; doubtless this it was that gave the idea to the inventor of water- 

 tight compartments. Through these passes a tube for respiration. In the outermost par- 

 tition is the owner of the ship, covered by its mantle as a captain would be with pea- 

 jacket or sou'-wester. The animal possesses numerous tentacles, and has two great eyes, 

 enabling it to keep a good " look-out." 



The Pearly Nautilus, common in the Indian seas, is sometimes used for food. Its shell 

 occasionally attains to a height of eight inches, and is said to be even now used by Hindoo 

 priests as the conch with which they summon their followers to prayers. A very fine nacre 

 is yielded, which is used in ornamental work. The Orientals make drinking-cups of it, and 

 adorn it with engraved devices. Many a retired old sea-captain has such about his house 

 to-day ; and before the world became so familiar with Asiatic productions they were often 

 found in the houses of the wealthy. 



The order Dibranchiata contains six families, mostly of formidable and repulsive nature. 

 They include cuttle-fish, squids, and argonauts, and these must mainly occupy our attention. 

 What wonderful things have not been written about them ! The French have found in them 

 a fertile theme. 



"It is now," says Michelet, "however, necessary to describe a much graver world a 

 world of rapine and of murder. From the very beginning, from the first appearance of life, 

 violent death appeared; sudden refinement,, useful but cruel purification of all which has 



