162 CUTTLE FISH. 



colour, marked with numerous dark purple specks. In 

 the fleshy part of the back of this species is found an 

 oblong calcareous bone, of a cellular texture, and very 

 regular construction. This bone is found very abundantly 

 on the sea-shore, and constitutes an article of commerce. 

 It forms a harmless dentif ce, and is made into pounce. 



The anatomy of the Cuttle-fish is highly curious; it 

 possesses a large pair of lungs, resembling those of quad- 

 rupeds in their situation, but allied to the gills of fishes in 

 their construction. They have besides three hearts, 

 situated in a triangular position, the lower one being larger 

 than the others. 



The eyes are very large, and are covered by the common 

 skin, which is there transparent ; the eye has a phosphoric 

 and fiery appearance. Its ball is very hard and of a pearly 

 appearance, and in some places is worn, as an imitation of 

 pearl. The Cuttle-fish, like the others of its tribe, is of 

 very predacious habits, feeding on fishes and other marine 

 animals; its suckers enabling it to secure its food with 

 great success. It is probable that it employs its dark 

 liquor for this purpose, as well as that of defence, by 

 involving its victim in darkness, and thus preventing its 

 escape. The liquor of the common Cuttle-fish is very 

 black, and if collected and dried, will split into fragments, 

 which, if ground down and re-dissolved, will form an 

 excellent ink of very durable blackness. It is supposed 

 that the Indian ink of the Chinese is formed in this manner; 

 In some species the liquor inclines to a reddish brown 

 colour. The female Cuttle-fish deposits her eggs in 

 clusters upon some sea- plant, rock, &c. The eggs, of the 

 size of filberts, and of a black colour, are popularly called 

 sea-grapes; the young animal proceeds from the egg 

 completely formed, resembling the parent in all but size. 



The CALAMRAY, LOLIGO, PEN-FISH, or INK-FISH, differs 

 from the preceding species, in having a more lengthened 

 form, darker colour, and the additional arms much longer. 

 It is an inhabitant of the European seas, but less frequent 

 than the former. It has the same habit of discharging a 

 black fluid, and possesses, in place of the calcareous bone 

 of the Cuttle-fish, a long transparent cartilage of a pen-like 

 form. It is a very prolific animal ; its eggs are curiously 

 disposed in bunches, arranged like the spokes of a wheel ; 

 and are so transparent as to exhibit the young animal 

 several days before its exclusion. These eggs are found 

 floating on the surface of the water, and have been mis- 

 taken for a species of Medusa. The most surprising of all 



