238 



SEA FABLES EXPLAINED. 



the immortal head, and which, if lost or mutilated by 

 misadventure, are capable of reproduction. 



That a knowledge of the octopus existed at a very early 

 period of man's history we have abundant evidence. The 

 ancient Egyptians figured it amongst their hieroglyphics, 

 and an interesting proof that they were also acquainted 

 with other cephalopods was given to me by the late 

 Mr. E. W. Cooke, R.A. Whilst on a trip up the Nile, in 

 January, 1875, he visited the temple of Bayr-el-Bahree, 

 Thebes (date 1700 B.C.), the entrance to which had been 

 deeply buried beneath the light, wind-drifted sand, accu- 



FIG. 19. FIGURE OF A CALAMARY. From the temple of Bayr-el-Bahree. 



mulated during many centuries. By order of the Khedive, 

 access had just at that time been obtained to its interior, 

 by the excavation and removal of this deep deposit, and, 

 amongst the hieroglyphics on the walls, were found, between 

 the zig-zag lines which represent water, figures of various 

 fishes, copies of which Mr. Cooke kindly gave me, and 

 which are so accurately portrayed as to be easily identified. 

 With them was the outline of a squid fourteen inches long, 

 a figure of which, from Mr. Cooke's drawing, is here shown. 

 As this temple is five hundred miles from the delta of the 

 Nile, it is remarkable that nearly all the fishes there repre- 

 sented are of marine species. 



