58 IIAKIT- m 'I III. Kl'IIALol-oDA. 



head with the trunk. The tentacular :irms remain emit raetcd 

 within the others when in repose; a position dillicult to under- 

 stand, as al'tei 1 death they are found to be more than double t he 

 length of the sessile arms. Sometimes the tirst pair of arms 

 are raised into a vertical position, like antenna-, the others pre- 

 serving their normal ait it nde ; sometimes, also, the fourth pair 

 of arms drop towards the earth for a tew moments, and much 

 elongate themselves. 



The coloring of the Sepia is eminently variable : but if the day 

 is clear, ihe dorsal surface and arms are magnificently striped; 

 the edges of the tins are black, and their superior face i^ orna- 

 mented with spots of the same color. On the back of large indi- 

 viduals is seen two large obscure spots, which vary in intensity 

 and sometimes entirely disappear. The eye is fatigued in fol- 

 lowing the incessant variation of coloring caused by 1 he constant 

 movement of the pigment cells, and the metallic reflections of 

 the head and arms are glorious beyond human skill ton-produce. 

 The skin is usually smooth ; but when the animal becomes irri- 

 tated, it shows granulations,' principally on the head and back. 

 This is accompanied by a retraction of the arms, which appeal- 

 both shorter and narrower; the extremities no longer touch, but 

 curve slightly. At the same time the colors change, a uniform 

 gray tint takes the place of the striped bands. The approach of 

 death is equally announced by a change of colors, which grow 

 dull. 



The swimming of the Sepia, is ditferenily elfected. according to 

 the speed required. A moderate progression js equally easy 

 forwards or backwards. When the animal moves forward, the 

 body remains horizontal ; ihe tentacles, united and extended in 

 front, rest on the fourth pair of arms. The Sepia follows in this 

 manner the course of the water, t he resistance of which bends 

 the extremities Of the united arms. A moderate backward move- 

 ment is elfected in the same manner; but ihe tentacles are more 

 elongated and their ext remit ies are somewhat parted; the arms 

 are raised to the line of the body. The undulations of the tins 

 commence at the front or rear, according to the direction which 

 1 he animal takes. This method of swimming, due entirely to t he 

 tin-, is not slow, for ihe normal mo\enieni of the Sepia is easy, 

 elegant and rapid ; hut an occasion of disquietude. as the sight of 



