134 ARGONAUTA. 



synonym of Argonauta, Linn a generic name given to the shell 

 only, with 60 }^ears priority. 



There is considerable difference between the animals of 

 Argonauta tuberculosa and A. Mans. In A. tuberculosa the sac- 

 like mantle is more ovoid and elongated ; the head is narrower ; 

 the infundibulnm is broader, shorter, and furnished at the upper 

 and anterior extremity with two conical prolongations ; the eyes 

 are considerably larger and slightly more prominent ; the ten- 

 tacular arms are shorter in comparison, and of greater width, 

 more particularly at their basal portions. The suckers are much 

 larger, more prominent, and placed closer together. This species 

 varies also considerably in color from A. hians. The extremities 

 of the brachia are marbled with deep red-brown ; and, in the 

 other parts, are covered with large irregular, oval, reddish 

 blotches, each margined with a dark color. The circumference 

 of the suckers is marked with brown spots. The upper surface 

 of the infundibulum is covered with pale pink, rather scattered. 

 and irregular quadrate blotches, margined with a dark red-browu. 

 The mantle, on the dorsal surface, is densely sprinkled with 

 round and square spots of a chestnut-brown and crimson, of 

 different sizes. The velamenta are minutely punctulated with 

 crimson and red-brown, and have a more bluish tinge than those 

 of A. hians. The under surface is mottled and punctulated with 

 dark chocolate on the arms, and on the body, is marked w r ith 

 small, irregular, dark, red-brown spots. 



In Argonauta hians the body is more globose, and broader 

 from side to side, the head is much wider and the tentacles are 

 narrower and more elongated. The suckers are less elevated, 

 smaller in comparison, and situated at a greater distance from 

 each other. The mantle is covered with round spots and longi- 

 tudinal linear markings of a bright crimson color. The entire 

 animal wants the brown, dark appearance produced by the 

 markings of A. tuberculosa, and is of a lighter tinge and more 

 delicate appearance.* 



The Argonaut or Paper Sailor is the Nautilus of the ancients. 



The pretty fable of the Argonaut, raising her velamentous 

 arms, sail-like to catch the breeze, has been illustrated in both 



* A. Adams, Narrative of Voy. Samarang, ii, 526, 1848. 



