THE ROCK SQUILX 



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THE family of the Teuthidae, popularly known as Calamaries, or Squids, are distin- 

 guished 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 



WEBBED SEPIA. Clrrhoteuthls Mullerl. LITTLE SQUID, OR SEPIOLA.-Sep/o/a Atlantic*. 



COMMON SEPIA.-Sep/a ofilcinalis. 



bows, and fell back injured into the sea. This Squid has even been known to fling 

 itself fairly over the ship, and to fall in the water on the other side. 



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

 the Cornish fishermeYi. 



OUR 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 ROCK SQUID, which sometimes attains a large size, may be considered 

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

 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 



