222 



CEPHALOPODS. 



markable in their habits and appearance ; nor will his expecta- 

 tions be disappointed. 



Their body is enclosed in a muscular sac or bag, which in 

 many species is provided with fleshy fins that project on each 

 side. Their head is furnished with a pair of large staring eyes, 

 and surmounted by 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 backwards, and walks equally well in any direc- 

 tion, carrying its head close to the ground and its body upwards. 



FIG. 237.- CUTTLE. 



The water taken in for the purpose of respiration 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, resembling in their shape the beak 

 of a parrot. Within 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 in- 

 tense blackness, which they are able to eject in great abundance 

 through the siphonal tube, thus darkening the surrounding water 

 to a considerable 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 their 

 activity and the various means that they possess of seizing and 



