I'. II.MUTS OF TIIK CKI'IIALOI'ODA. 



The variations of fonn of the siphon arc indisputable, and 

 one canno'i doub. iheir influence upon the direction taken by the 

 animal, but the marginal lins ;ire not- less useful; their undula- 

 tions commencing anieriorlv when ihe animal moves forward. 

 and posteriorly in baekwanl movement ; they change suddenly 

 as the direction may l>e varied. The same facts were remarked 

 wi:h regard to the ('alamary. 



is. During lsr>7 I had the opportunity of 

 studying seven individuals, of which three were pretty larv. 

 One of these quit his dwelling to explore the hole occupied by 



another, Who irritated, changed color and endeavored to sei/e 

 'he intruder with one of the ai'ins of his second pair. l>ul 

 whether [hecii|>s tailed io tidhere to Ihe body, or wheiher the 

 Poulpes possessel the means of disembarassing iheinselves. the 

 'ombat did not become serious. 



The second pair of arms (which are ihe most elongated) serve 

 principally for attack or defense; those of the lirst pair are 

 mos.ly employed in exploration; they irlide about amonir lie 

 rocks, and if they come in contact with food, draw it towards ; he 

 mouth. 



The Poulpc moves lut little during the day; he executes. 

 sometimes, a very sino-ular niana'uvre: his arms make rapid 

 worm-like movements, writhing and twisiinu; iop.'eiher. 



The variations of color occur occasionally without appar 

 c;iuse. I ha\'e seen. 1ml only once, a 1'oulpe present ;i deep 

 \inoiis color upon one-half of its head and sack, whilst the 

 oilier half preserved a pah 1 grayish tint. When the body be- 

 comes tuberculated. a sharp tubercle may be seen at the 

 ex1 remity of the sack. 



The Poulpes are very voracious. They were ufiven daily a 

 (|uanli ; .y of Cunliuui >'<lul<>. which they sei/ed and held close to 

 their mouth, concealed under the interbrachial membrane at the 

 f the arms. Afiera vai'iable period, but little surpassing 

 an hour in duration, they rejected the valves, opened, and con- 

 taining only some remains of tin- mollusk. These valves were 

 |>erfec!ly in acl : one could not perceive any fracture or trace of 

 teeth; the I'oulpes then possess snme means of causing Iheii' 

 victim to re.lax i!s retractor muscles and open its shell perhaps 

 the victim is asphyxiated. A crab taken from a Poulpe one or 



