154 The Under-Water World 



made to incarcerate the specimens, an 

 octopus gained access to a collection of 

 lobsters in an adjoining tank. One was 

 speedily rendered clawless and retired 

 into a corner of the ring, but a giant 

 specimen weighing 8 Ib. put up a 

 splendid fight. Hour after hour mollusc 

 and crustacean circled round each other, 

 the former always seeking to make a 

 rear attack upon his adversary. The 

 fight was allowed to continue to the great 

 excitement of the spectators, who even- 

 tually grew weary and retired. The 

 following morning there was displayed a 

 heap of lobster shell, and a complacent 

 octopus tucked snugly in his flower-pot 

 kennel digesting the spoils of victory. 



All Cephalopods have the power to 

 rapidly change colour, adapting them- 

 selves to their environment. Full-fed 

 and contented, an octopus is often white 

 on one side and brown on the other, the 

 meeting-point being sharply defined. 



