CUTTLE FISH OR SQUID. 143 



CUTTLE FISH, OK, SQUID. 



Sepia octopus. 



officinalis. 



media. 



loligo. 

 Sepiola. 



Of this extraordinary animal there are no less 

 than five varieties, but they are in general known 

 by the inhabitants of the coast under the name of 

 ' ' Squid." This fish or mollusc is in high repute, 

 and much sought after as one of the best baits 

 known on the coast for capturing the finest kinds 

 of fish for the markets. They are very extra- 

 ordinary in appearance, being of an opaque fleshy 

 substance, with only one bone in the body, and 

 that a thin, bright, and transparent one, like talc 

 in appearance, and quite flat in form ; they have 

 eight arms, very long and set along the inside 

 with watery suckers, with which they seize their 

 prey and hold it, whilst they feed on it with their 

 curious mouths formed of a horny substance just 

 like a parrot's bill. They have a peculiar secre- 

 tion, dark brown or black in colour, with which, 



