NEW-YORK FAtTNA — MOLLUSCA. 



ORDER I. CEPHALOPODA. 



Animal enclosed in a muscular tunic open in front, from luhich arises a distinct head. In 

 many species, this tunic is enlarged on each side into fleshy fins. Mouth terminal, armed 

 with two horny mandibles, and the tongue ivith horny points. Eyes generally large, 

 sessile. Head surrounded with numerous long fleshy arms or feet, serving for locomotion 

 or prehension. 



Obs. The animals of this order are exceedingly varied in iheir form, but all are united by 

 the common character of feet or arms surrounding the head, which gives the name to the 

 order. The sexes are separate. The shell either entirely external, or partially so ; or wholly 

 internal, rudimentary ; univalve, of one or many chambers, and much varied in its form ; 

 the chambers connected. All marine. Many fossil genera. 



FAMILY SEPIAD.E. 



Animal sack-shaped, luith or loithout fleshy fins. Head large, distinct, surrounded by eight 

 or ten unequal ai'ms loith rows of suckers on their internal surface, and occasionally with 

 hooks. Shell, when not external, represented by a solid cretaceous or horny and flexible 

 substance within the body, 



Obs. This family, originally equivalent to the old genus Sepia of Linneus, now comprises 

 more than thirty species, arranged under eleven genera. It corresponds with the Cephalopo- 

 des sepiaires of Lamarck, and the order Cryptodibranches of Blainville. The animals com- 

 prising this family have been celebrated from the earliest times for their singular property of 

 surrounding themselves with an inky fluid, with which they envelope themselves to evade 

 pursuit. They are carnivorous, destroying many fish and crabs. The coloring substance 

 named sepia, is obtained from these animals. In this country, their only use is as bait in the 

 cod fishery. 



GENUS LOLIGO. Lamarck. 



Animal enclosed in an elongated C3'lindrical sac, enlarged into fleshy fins, and pointed beneath. 

 Dorsal edge of the sac very distinct from the head, and sometimes elongated into a point. 

 The eight sessile subequal arms furnished with suckers along their whole length ; the two 

 long arms with suckers on their enlarged extremities. Suckers occasionally furnished with 

 hooks. The rudiment of a shell represented by a thin horny flexible blade, varying in 

 form, but usually enlarged, and resembling a feather. This internal support, the horny 

 jaws, and the ink-bags of various species, have been found fossil. 



