THE POLYPUS. 409 



the singular circumstance attached to the cuttle-fish is, 

 that, whenever it is pursued, it ejects a hlack liquid 

 from a bag which is formed under its belly, that so 

 completely discolours the sea that it is absolutely im- 

 possible for it to be seen. 



OF THE POLYPUS. 



Those animals, which we have described in the last 

 pages, are of the same species, though differently 

 named ; yet all exist in the briny element, though the 

 polypus lives in fresh water as well as in the sea, and 

 is frequently found at the bottom of wet ditches, or at- 

 tached to plants that have very broad leaves. In the 

 size of these creatures, however, there is a very great 

 difference, as those in fresh water never measure more 

 than an inch, whilst those in the sea grow from two to 

 four feet. 



Whoever has looked with attention into the bottom, 

 of a ditch, when the water is stagnant, and the sun 

 has cast a powerful heat, must remember to have seen 

 many little transparent lumps of jelly, about the size 

 of a pea, without knowing that each possessed the 

 principle of life. Yet these are the polypi gathered' 

 up into a quiescent state, and seemingly inanimate, 

 because either undisturbed, or not excited into action 

 by the calls of appetite. When they are seen exerting 

 themselves, they put on a very different appearance to 

 what they do when they are at rest, and bear a strong 

 resemblance to a clue cut off at bottom, with several 

 threads or horns planted round the edge. The polypus 

 contracts itself more or less in proportion as it is 

 touched, or the water is agitated in which it floats. 

 Warmth animates, and cold benumbs them; but it re- 



