THE KOCK SQUID. 



301 



THE family of the Teuthidoe, popularly known as Calamaries, or Squids, are distinguished 

 by their elongated bodies, their short and broad fins, and the shell or pen which is found 

 in their interior. All the Squids are very active, and some species, called FLYING 

 SQUIDS by sailors, and Ommastrephes by systematic naturalists, are able to dash out of 

 the sea and dart to considerable distances. Mr. Beale mentions that he has seen tens of 

 thousands of "these animals dart simultaneously out of the water when pursued by 

 dolphins or albacores, and propel themselves through the air for a distance of eighty or a 

 hundred yards. While thus engaged, they have a habit of moving their long tentacles 

 with a rapid spiral motion, which may possibly help them in their flight, as it undoubtedly 

 does in their propulsion through the water. This peculiar action has been compared by 

 the writer to that of an eight-pronged corkscrew. An interesting account of the Flying 

 Squid may be seen in Bennett's " Whaling Voyage," where it is casually mentioned that 

 these creatures frequently leaped on the deck of the vessel in their daring flight, and 

 sometimes struck themselves violently against the bows, and fell "back injured into the 



WKBBED SEPIA. Cirrhoteutkis Mulleri. LITTLE SQUID, Oil SEPIOLA. Sepwla Atlantica 



COMMON SEPIA. Sepia officlnaLis. 



sea. This Squid has even been known to fling itself fairly over the ship, and to fall in 

 the w-ater on the other side. 



One species of Squid is tolerably common on our coasts, and is often used for bait by 

 the Cornish fishermen. 



OUE present example of this family is the LITTLE SQUID, or SEPIOLA, of which genus 

 six species are known, inhabiting most parts of the world, and living on our own shores. 



ONE species, the KOCK SQUID, which sometimes attains a large size, may be considered 

 as a formidable antagonist if irritated, as may be seen by the following account b} 

 Mr. Beale : 



"While upon the Bonin Islands, searching for shells upon the rocks which had just 

 been left by the receding sea-tide, I was much astonished at seeing at my feet a most 



