316 TLYING REPTILES, PISHES, AND MOLLUSCS. 



winter of 1870, one measuring forty feet in length, 

 and the other forty-five. 



We will now see how the Squid is able to propel 

 itself into the air. 



All those who watch the Cuttles in the aquarium, 

 must have noticed their remarkable mode of progres- 

 sion. As long as they are on the bed of the tank, or 

 near the sides, they crawl, or haul themselves about, 

 using their tentacles by way of legs or arms. But they 

 may occasionally be seen to shoot through the water, 

 with their tentacles trailing behind them. 



This is done by means of the " siphon/' a tube 

 which is connected with the respiratory apparatus. 

 For the purpose of respiration, water is drawn into the 

 body through the siphon, passes over the gills, and is 

 then expelled through the aperture into which it 

 entered. When this is done gently, no effect is pro- 

 duced in the movements of the animal. But if the 

 water be violently ejected, the Cuttle is propelled back- 

 wards by direct action, on exactly the same principle 

 as a rocket is impelled through the air. Even the 

 large-bodied and comparatively sluggish Cuttles can 

 thus shoot at some pace across a tank ; while the 

 slight-bodied, active Squids can drive themselves with 

 such velocity as to project themselves into the air. 



Here is an extract from Mr. Bennett's <( Whaling 

 Voyage/' in which he gives a very good account of 

 the Flying Squid. There are one or two trifling 

 errors, which I will mention at the end of the extract. 



" Many different kinds of Loligo are called by 

 sailors Flying Squid, from a habit they have of leaping 

 from the water, and proceeding through the air to 



