HOMES UNDEE THE SEA. 

 CHAPTEK II. 



THE COMMON SEPIA. 



A FAMILIAR example of these long-armed Cuttles is 

 to be found on our own shores. It is popularly 

 called the Sepia, and is better known by two of its pro- 

 ductions than by its form. 



One of these productions is the Cuttle " bone " which 

 is so frequently thrown on our shores after a gale. This 

 structure presents another approach to the vertebrate 

 animals, as it is the first example of an internal skeleton. 

 It lies loosely in a sort of bag, so that when the dead 

 Sepia is eaten by the crabs, shrimps, and other Crustacea, 

 the " bone " is detached and floats away. Although 

 made of calcareous substance, it is lighter than water. 

 The chalk is deposited in successive layers connected by 



