GIGANTIC CEPHALOPODS. 89 



terior tins, show it to have been one of the decapods. Probably 

 the tentacular arms were either deficient or were not seen.* 



The fishermen mention the almost, yearly occurrence at the 

 Island of St. Paul. Indian Ocean, in the midst of schools of 

 fishes of an enormous cephalopod, the dimensions of which 

 exceed those of their boats, and which throws out of the water 

 to a "Teat distance, two long arms, covered with cups. Fearing 

 to approach the creature, they hastily returned into the crater as 

 soon as they saw it.f 



We add. that on the 2d November, following an extremely 

 violent tide, oiie of these monstrous cephalopods came ashore. 

 It did not measure less than 22 feet from the extremity of the 

 (ins to those of tin- tentacular arms. M. Cazin immediately pho- 

 tographed the animal as it lay extended on the shore, and this 

 photograph we have reproduced. 



In a preliminary report, addressed to the Academy of Sciences. 

 I have mentioned this great eephalopod, and identified it with the 

 genus Arehiteiithis of Steenstrup. Its dimensions, its circular 

 cups, garnished with a finely denticulated corneous ring, their 

 disposition on the arms, seemed to indicate, this alliniiy. but 

 certain other characters remove it ; in particular, the singularly 

 blunt form of the arms, which appear shortly truncated instead 

 of terminating in a point, as in all other cephalopods, as well as 

 the inferior termination, entirely different, of the dorsal bone. 

 It must certainly constitute, among the gigantic Ommastrephes, 

 a new genus, which I hasten to dedicate to Commandant 

 Mouehez.j 



Young individuals of Sepia, born in summer, had not exceeded 

 the size of about an inch in three months, although adults are 

 known of the size of 18 inches and more. The great differences 

 in bulk of the same species indicate that, unlike the superior 

 vertebrates, their growth may continue during their life. The 

 common Poulpe. nearly 10 feet long, seen by M. Verany. must 

 have been very old. Admitting these premises, the question 

 occurs, are the gigantic individuals abnormally sized specimens 

 of common species, or does their size indicate specific' distinct- 



*Jour. de Conch., 3d scr., ii, p. 135, 1862. 



f St. Paul is a volcanic island, the crater of which' is submerged. 

 t Veltiin. Archives Zool. Exper., vi, 83, 1877. 

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