MOLLUSCA. 429 



ing a short way simple, divides into two branches, each 

 having its external aperture near the anus. The oviducts 

 are furnished within with muscular bands and a mucous 

 lining, and encircled with a large glandular zone, destined, 

 probably, to secrete the integuments of the eggs. In the 

 Loligo vulgaris, and the Sepia, the oviduct continues 

 single. Besides these organs, the Loligo vulgaris and sa- 

 gittata, and the Sepia, have two large oval glandular 

 bodies, divided by transverse partitions, with their excre- 

 tory ducts terminating at the anus, the use of which is un- 

 known. The eggs, of the peculiar form already noticed, 

 pass out of the funnel, after which they are supposed 

 to be impregnated by the male, according to the manner of 

 fishes. 



The Inky fluid now remains to be considered, as the 

 most remarkable of the productions of this tribe of animals. 

 The organ in which this fluid is secreted is spongy and 

 glandular. In some species it is contained in a recess of 

 the liver, which has given rise to the opinion, that the co- 

 loured fluid which it secreted was bile. In other species, 

 however, this gland is detached from the liver, and either 

 situate in front or beneath that organ. The excretory 

 canal of this gland opens in the rectum, so that the fluid 

 escapes through the funnel. It mixes readily with water, 

 and imparts to it its own peculiar colour. When dried, it 

 is used as a pigment, and is considered as the basis of 

 China ink. 



The Cephalopoda are all inhabitants of the sea. They 

 are widely distributed, occurring in the arctic as well as the 

 equatorial seas. In the latter, however, they grow to the 

 largest size. It is reported, that in the Indian Seas, boats 

 have been sunk by these animals affixing to them their 

 long arms, and that they are dreaded by divers. 



