OCTOPUS OR POULP. ARGONAUT. 347 



ganglion alone. The conformation now described is common to 

 the whole Order. 



889. In regard to the Poulp it has been justly remarked, 

 that " there is something strange and uncouth in the aspect of 

 this creature ; its long flexible arms moving and curling in all 

 directions ; and its large eyes, which stare with fixed gaze, 

 rendering it even repulsive." Even a cursory observer would pre- 

 dict it to be ferocious and carnivorous ; and its actual character 

 harmonises with its appearance. Woe to the Fish that is 

 infolded within the tenacious grasp of its arms. Resistance is 

 vain ; for the suckers adhere with such tenacity, that they may 

 sooner be wrenched off than unfixed. Closer and closer to the 

 mouth is the victim brought ; until, being firmly secured as in a 

 vice, the work of demolition commences. Although the largest 

 Octopi of which we have any account that is entirely free from 

 doubt, do not measure above 4 feet between the ends of the arms ; 

 yet the inhabitants of several parts of the warmer regions of the 

 globe confidently assert, that much larger ones are to be met 

 with. These are said to extend their arms out of the water, and 

 thus to lay hold of men, or of the masts of small vessels. The 

 inhabitants of some of the islands in the Indian Archipelago are 

 said to affirm, that Cuttle-fish are often seen two fathoms 

 (12 feet) broad over their centre, with arms nine fathoms 

 (54 feet long) ; and are stated to provide themselves with axes, 

 whenever they go out in boats, from their fear of being seized 

 by these monsters. Allowing for a great deal of exaggeration 

 in these accounts, it is still probable that Octopi exist in the 

 open sea, of much larger size than any with which we are 

 familiarly acquainted. 



890. A very interesting species of the Octopod group is the 

 Argonauta, commonly called the " Paper-Nautilus, 11 from the 

 whiteness and delicacy of its shell. As the animal has little in 

 common with the true Nautilus, it would be much better if the 

 latter designation were entirely abandoned, and that of " Argo- 

 naut" substituted for it. The shell is not chambered, as in the 

 true Nautilus ; but possesses one spiral cavity, into which the 

 animal can withdraw itself entirely. The animal, however, has 



