HABITS OF A CUTTLE-FISH. 7 



in intensity ; the latter entirely disappeared and appeared again by 

 turns. These changes were effected in such a manner, that clouds, 

 varying in tint between a hyacinth red and a chestnut-brown,* were 

 continually passing over the body. Any part, being subjected to 

 a slight shock of galvanism, became almost JLdack : a similar eftect, 

 but in a less degree, was produced by scratching the skin with a 

 needle. These clouds, or blushes as they may be called, are said to 

 be produced by the alternate expansion and contraction of minute 

 vesicles containing variously coloured fluids.f 



This cuttle-fish displayed its chameleon-like power both during 

 the act of swimming and whilst remaining stationary at the bottom. 

 I was much amused by the various arts to escape detection used by 

 one individual, which seemed fully aware that I was watching it. 

 Remaining for a time motionless, it would then stealthily advance 

 an inch or two, like a cat after a mouse ; sometimes changing its 

 colour : it thus proceeded, till having gained a deeper part, it 

 darted away, leaving a dusky train "of ink to hide the hole into 

 which it had crawled. 



While looking for marine animals, with my head about two feet 

 above the rocky shore, I was more than once saluted by a jet of 

 water, accompanied by a slight grating noise. At first I could not 

 think what it was, but afterwards I found out that it was this 

 cuttle-fish, which, though concealed in a hole, thus often led me to 

 its discovery. That it possesses the power of ejecting water there 

 is no doubt, and it appeared to me that it could certainly take good 

 aim by directing the tube or siphon on the under side of its body. 

 From the difficulty which these animals have in carrying their 

 heads, they cannot crawl with ease when placed on the ground. I 

 observed that one which I kept in the cabin was slightly phospho- 

 rescent in the dark. 



ST. PAUL'S ROCKS. In crossing the Atlantic we hove-to, during 

 the morning of February 16th, close to the island of St. Paul's. 

 This cluster of rocks is situated in 58' north latitude, and 29 15' 

 west longitude. It is 540 miles distant from the coast of America, 

 and 350 from the island of Fernando Norouha. The highest point 

 is only fifty feet above the level of the sea, and the entire circum- 

 ference is under three-quarters of a mile. This small point rises 



* So named according to Patrick Symes's nomenclature, 

 t See Encyclop. of Anat. and Physiol., article Cephalopoda. 



