CEPHALOPODS. 465 



this specimen which are still preserved in the Hunterian Museum, 

 and which have always strongly excited the attention of naturalists, it 

 must have measured at least six feet from the end of the tail to the 

 end of the tentacles." 



In the genus Eledone the arms are reunited at their hase by a very 

 short membrane, with only a single row of suckers. The two best- 

 known species of this group inhabit the Mediterranean. The one is 

 Eledone mosehatus, known in Italy under the name of Muscardino, 

 from the strong odour of musk which it emits, even after death and 

 desiccation ; the other is Eledone cirrhosus, a small species, bluish- 

 grey on the back, and whitish under the belly. 



The habits of Eledone mosehatus have been carefully studied by 

 M. Yerany. The able naturalist of Nice preserved many of these 

 animals during a month, in a great aquarium, noting their habits. 

 When in a state of tranquillity, the Eledone clung to the sides of the 

 glass tank in which it was kept. Its head is then inclined forwards, 

 with the sac hanging behind ; the locomotive tube, turned upwards, 

 presents the orifice between the arms. In this state the animal is 

 yellowish in colour, its eyes dilated, its inspirations regular. But if 

 irritated, a remarkable change takes place : its body assumes a fine 

 maroon colour, and it is covered with numerous tubercles ; the eye 

 becomes contracted, a column of water is forcibly ejected from the loco- 

 motive tube at the aggressor, and the respiration becomes precipitate, 

 jerky, and irregular. The creature would take a strong inspiration, 

 and, having collected its force, suddenly throw a jet of water to a 

 distance of more than three feet. This state of passion, which the 

 slightest touch is sufficient to produce, endures for half an hour or 

 more. When it ceases, the animal resumes its form and primitive 

 colours ; but the least shock impressed on the water is sufficient to give 

 it a deeper tint, which passes like a flash of lightning over the skin of 

 this singular proteus. 



The Eledone sleeps by day as well as by night, attaching itself in 

 its sleep to the walls of its prison, leaving its arms to float around, the 

 two inferior ones extending backwards, and the sac inclining over 

 them ; its eyes are then contracted, and in part covered by the eye- 

 lids. Its respiration is regular and slow, and any ejection of water 

 very rare ; its colour is then of a livid grey, and vinous red below, 

 with whitish spots, while the brown spots have now entirely dis- 



2 H ' 



