CEPHALOPODA. 



297 



conical fleshy tentacles, of various length in different 

 species, but of great strength, capable of being bent 

 in every direction, and, moreover, armed with suckers 

 or adhesive disks, whereby they become firmly fixed 

 to any object embraced in their snake-like folds. 

 By means of these 

 "feet" or tentacles, the 

 animal is enabled to 

 seize upon its prey, to 

 walk, and even to 

 swim. It swims back- 

 wards, and walks 

 equally well in any 

 direction, carrying its 

 head close to the ground 

 and its body upwards. 

 The water taken in for 

 the purpose of respira- 

 tion is forcibly ejected 

 through a fleshy funnel 

 situated in the front of 

 its neck. The mouth 

 is situated in the centre 

 of the circle of feet, 

 and is furnished with 

 two horny jaws, resem- 

 bling in their shape the 

 beak of a parrot. With- 

 in the mouth is a 

 tongue, studded with 

 horny spines, whereby 

 the food is passed into the throat. 



These animals are provided with a peculiar inky 

 fluid of intense blackness, which they are able to 

 eject in great abundance through the siphonal tube, 

 thus darkening the surrounding water to a consider- 

 able distance ; and their skin is endowed with a 

 capability of changing its colour more remarkable 

 than even that of the chameleon. 



The Cephalopods are cruel and voracious, and from 



o 3 



FIG. 237. CUTTLE. 



