Ten-Armed Game 



the beak of a parrot, a wonderful faculty of chang- 

 ing color, and possessing an ink bag with which 

 fluid it can pollute the immediate waters and hide its 

 retreat, the squid is one of the most remarkable and 

 uncanny members of the animal kingdom. When 

 out of water it is soft and flabby, with little brace 

 for its pliable body, yet in the water it has remark- 

 able strength, and whalers have observed gigantic 

 specimens wrapped about whales, which the latter 

 appeared unable for the moment to dislodge. 



Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, is famous for 

 its giant squids. One discovered upon the surface 

 threw its arms over a boat nearly swamping her. 

 Another came ashore and was secured in shallow 

 water by throwing a grapnel into it, which, in turn, 

 was fastened to a tree on the beach. The struggles 

 of the monster, whose body alone was twenty feet in 

 length, are described as terrible. The ten livid arms 

 were constantly shot into the air, while masses of 

 water discolored with ink, were ejected from the 

 siphon, converting the adjacent water into murky 

 foam. This giant was estimated to be seventy feet 

 in length ; and doubtless the deep sea affords a hiding 

 place for larger specimens. To attempt the capture 

 of large uninjured squids is almost impossible. They 

 are timid creatures, undoubtedly dreading the light, 

 and those of great size which have been taken had 

 been injured by whales or some disease; but even if 

 they could be approached very few sportsmen would 



