THE KRAKEN. 343 



closing of the throttle-valve by which they are connected 

 with it. Meanwhile the abdominal plates of the captive 

 crab are dragged towards the mouth ; the black tip of the 

 hard horny beak is seen for a single instant protruding 

 from the circular orifice in the centre of the radiation of 

 the arms ; and, the next, has crushed through the shell, and 

 is buried deep in the flesh of the victim. 



Unlike the skulking, hiding octopus, its ten-armed rela- 

 tive, the Sepia, loves the daylight and the freedom of the 

 upper water. Its predatory acts are not those of a con- 

 cealed and ambushed brigand lying in wait behind a 

 rock, or peeping furtively from within the gloomy shadow 

 of a cave ; but it may better be compared with the war-like 

 Comanche vidette seated gracefully on his horse, and scan- 

 ning from some elevated knoll a wide expanse of prairie, in 

 readiness to swoop upon a weak or unarmed foe. Poised 

 near the surface of the water, like a hawk in the air, the 

 Sepia moves gently to and fro by graceful undulations of 

 its lateral fins, an exquisite play of colour occasionally 

 taking place over its beautifully barred and mottled back. 

 When thus tranquil, its eight pedal arms are usually 

 brought close together, and droop in front of its head, like 

 the trunk of an elephant, shortened ; its two longer tenta- 

 cular arms being coiled up within their pouches, and unseen. 

 Only when some small fish approaches it does it arouse 

 itself. Then, its eyes dilate, and its colours become more 

 bright and vivid. It carefully takes aim, advancing or 

 retreating to such a distance as will just allow the two 

 hidden tentacles to reach the quarry when they shall be shot 

 out. Next, the two highest or central feet are lifted up, 

 and the three others on each side are spread aside, so that 

 they may be all out of the way of the two concealed ten- 



