100 CEPHALOPODS AS FOOD. 



And Antiphanes in his "Female Fisher," says (referring to 

 the ink) : 



" Give me some cuttle-fish first. O Hercules, 

 They've dirtied every place with ink ; here take them 

 And wash them clean." 



Anaxilaus states, according to Pliny, that the ink of the Sepia 

 is possessed of such remarkable potency, that if it is put into a 

 lamp, the light will become entirely changed, and all present 

 will look as black as Ethiopians.* 



" At the nuptial feast of Iphicrates, who married the daughter 

 of Cotys, King of Thrace, a hundred polypi and sepiae were 

 served up. The Greek epicures prized them most when they 

 were in a pregnant condition, and had them cooked with high 

 sauces ; while the hardy Lacedaemonian boiled the animals 

 entire, and was not disgusted with the black broth formed by 

 their inky liquor diffusing itself in the water. The Octopus or 

 Polypus was held in highest estimation. The good old story of 

 Philoxenus may be quoted in illustration : 



" Of all fish-eaters 



None sure excell'd the lyric hard Philoxenus. 

 'Twas a prodigious twist ! At Syracuse 

 Fate threw him on the fish called ' Many-feet.' 

 He purchas'd it and drest it ; and the whole, 

 Bate me the head, form'd but a single swallow. 

 A crudity ensued the doctor came, 

 And the first glance inform' d him things went wrong. 

 And ' Friend,' quoth he, ' if thou hast aught to set 

 In order, to it straight ; pass but seven hours, 

 And thou and life must take a long farewell. 1 

 * I've naught to do,' replied the bard : * all's right 

 And tight about me. ..... 



I were loath, howc'er, 



To troop with less than all my gear about me ; 

 Good doctor, be my helper then to what 

 Remains of that same blessed Many-feet.' ' : 



Johnston's Introd., Conch. 44. 



Those of our readers who desire to pursue the <ni//<///ifiex of 

 our subject, are respectfully referred to the veritable " Natural 

 History" of Aldrovandi. 'Those who prefer modern marvels, 

 will find a choice assortment in a \ taper entitled : " The Cuttle- 

 Fish and its Allies," published in the Popular Science Mont./i///, 

 January, 1X7!). 



*Lovell, Edible Mollusks, p. 174. 



