CUTTLEFISHES, THE OCTOPUS, ETC. 31 



indeed, is the origin of the scientific word Cephalopoda, 

 or head-footed, to which all these creatures belong. 



Next, we will suppose that this flat, circular foot is 

 slit into a number of pointed, ribbon-like divisions, so 

 that they radiate in starlike fashion from the head. 

 Each of these rays would retain its power of expansion 

 and contraction, and could act independently of the 

 others. These rays, then, Avould constitute the arms, as 

 they are called, of the Cuttle. 



It is evident that if they could be made adhesive by 

 some process, they could draw any object to which they 

 clung towards the centre from which they radiate. And, 

 if the mouth were to open upon that central point, it is 

 also evident that the contraction of the rays would draw 

 the object to the mouth. 



It is also clear that the structure by which the rays 

 are made adhesive, must be of such a nature that the 

 hold can be loosened at will, as otherwise it would be 

 obliged to swallow its arm as well as its food. 



Both these conditions are fulfilled in the arms of the 

 Cuttle. 



The integuments of the under surface are modified 

 into a double row of circular cups, the bottom of each 

 cup being so made that it can be pushed into the hollow 

 of the cup, or withdrawn at will, after the manner of a 

 piston. Each of these cups acts as a sucker, as the reader 

 will easily understand. 



In its ordinary condition, the piston, as we may call 

 it, nearly fills the cavity of the cup. When the creature 



