26 4 



CURIOUS CREATURES. 



smoothness of their surface." Magnus also speaks of 

 the antipathy between the two. 



According to Pliny, quoting Trebius Niger, the Polypus 

 shows a fair amount of cunning : " Shell fish are desti- 

 tute of sight, and, indeed, all other sensations but those 

 which warn them of hunger, and the approach of danger. 

 Hence it is that the Polypus lies in ambush till the 

 fish opens its shell, immediately upon which, it places 

 within it a small pebble, taking care, at the same time, 

 to keep it from touching the body of the animal, lest, 



by making some movement, it should chance to eject it. 

 Having made itself thus secure, it attacks its prey, and 

 draws out the flesh, while the other tries to contract 

 itself, but all in vain, in consequence of the separation 

 of the shell, thus effected by the insertion of the wedge. 

 " In addition to the above, the same author states 

 that there is not an animal in existence, that is more 

 dangerous for its powers of destroying a human being 

 when in the water. Embracing his body, it counteracts 

 his struggles, and draws him under with its feelers and 

 its numerous suckers, when, as often is the case, it 



