NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Remarkable for emitting un iiik\ iluid. 



of its lightness, is sometimes called sea foam, or/ 

 *ea biscuit. 



There is a vessel in the belly of these fish that 

 contains a quantity of dark or inky fluid, which 

 the animal emits, on contraction, when alarmed. 

 This not only tinges the water so as to conceal 

 its retreat, but is at the same time so bitter as 

 immediately to drive off its enemies. Swammer- 

 da-m was of opinion that the Indian ink is nothing 

 more than this black fluid in an inspissated state> 

 with the addition of perfumes. If Indian ink be 

 dissolved in water in any considerable quantity* 

 in the space of a few days it acquires a very 

 high degree of putridity, clearly indicating its 

 being formed of some animal substance ; and no 

 other seems to be so well calculated to compose 

 it as this. 



The young are produced from eggs deposited 

 on the sea weed, in parcels exactly resembling a 

 bunch of grapes. These are at first white, but 

 after their impregnation by the male they be- 

 come black ; they are round, with a little point 

 at i be end, and in each of them is contained a 

 cuttle fish, surrounded by a gelatinous fluid. 



The female is always accompanied by the 

 male, and when she is attacked lie will brave 

 every danger, and attempt her rescue even at the. 

 hazard of his own life. As soon as ^he observes 

 her partner to be wounded she immediately 

 escapes, her timidity not suffering her to afford 

 him any assistance. When these animals are 



