28 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 



Another story is about an octopus considered dead and placed in 

 a kettle hung oA^er a fire. This particular octopus became sufficiently 

 revived to leave the kettle, climb up the chimney and onto the roof, 

 where after considerable hunting it was discovered hiding behind the 

 chimney. 



Statements are also made that natives of the Sudian Isles, wlien 

 sailing in canoes, always provided themselves with hatchets so that 

 they could immediately cut off the arms of these animals if they happen 

 to be flung over the sides, lest the boat be pulled under water. 



The captain of an African slaver on the west coast of Africa 

 recounted the story of a monstrous cuttlefish (a painting of this animal 

 and slii]), however, proved the animal to be an octopus of immense 

 proportions) that appeared on top of the water and slung its arms 

 about two of the ma.sts. The weight of this cephalopod dragged the 

 ship over on its side and would have capsized it except for tlie ]u-ompt- 

 ness of members of the crew, who cut off the arms with an axe. This 

 was not accomplished without renewed courage that was instilled into 

 the crew by a prayer to a certain patron saint. 



The writings of these ancient peoples have evidently influenced 

 our earlier modern writers. Bartsch reproduces a drawing from an 

 early issue of the San Francisco Chronicle, which shows a combination 

 crab and octopus some 100 feet long. The artist not only drew claws on 

 the ends of every one of the eight arms, but enthusiastically modified 

 the body into huge claw-like jaws bearing some sort of large saw-like 

 teeth. 



MODERN VERSIONS 



Painstaking workers have slowly revealed that these legends and 

 mj^ths have been woven around greatly distorted facts. Ordinarily, 

 the octopus can be considered a timid and inoffensive creature. It is 

 probable, though, that on occasions a large octopus may entwine itself 

 around a person's limb, Avhen tlie rest of the body is hidden, so that 

 the octopod is led into believing that the limb is legitimate pre}" of 

 some sort. This must occur, however, in the natural habitat of the 

 octopus, which is usually at some depth along rocky shores or reefs. 

 Authentic cases of an octopus causing death by drowning or by some 

 other manner are hard to find. 



Japanese abalone divers, working to a depth of 100 feet, along 

 the same strip of coast (IMonterey, California) where octopus are 

 trapped for market, do not complain of attacks by this eight-armed 

 cephalopod. Occasionally, if they are fortunate, one is cornered and 

 a line is tied around the body so that it can be hoisted to the surface, 

 whence it forms the main course of a meal some time later. 



However, Mr. Oscar Lager, a diver now making his home in 

 Monterey, who has had 16 years of experience as an all round diver 

 from Alaska to Mexico, has a different opinion about this subject. Mr, 

 Lager has been down to a depth of 187 feet and claims to have had 

 several encounters Avith octopi and other sea animals, which he does 

 not care to repeat. He is emphatic in his assertion that large octopi 

 are treacherous, especially those of the South Seas. 



There may be a few authentic cases of encounters between fisher- 

 men and divers and octopi, but in general the octopus need not be 

 considered a dangerous animal. 



