Mr. A. G. More on a Gigantic Squid. 123 



head 1*45, ear 0*9, tragus 0'45x O'l, forearm 3*4, thumb 0*7, 

 second ringer 5' 75, fourth finger 4" 15, tibia 1'4 ; foot and 

 claws 0-75. 



This is by far the largest species of the family Vespertilio- 

 nida3 yet described, its forearm exceeding that of Vesperugo 

 molossus (hitherto known as the largest species) by half an 

 inch, and exceeding by quite one inch the forearm of the 

 largest species of Scotophilus. 



Hab. Lagos, west coast of Africa. Type in the collection 

 of the British Museum. 



XVII. — Gigantic Squid on the West Coast of Ireland. By 

 A. G. More, Assistant Naturalist in the Museum of the 

 Royal Dublin Society. 



Several accounts having lately appeared in print respecting 

 a very large cuttlefish which was lately captured off Boffin 

 Island, Connemara, I have to offer a few notes made on those 

 portions of the animal which fortunately were preserved by 

 the care of Sergeant O'Connor, and by him forwarded to the 

 Museum in Dublin. 



This giant cuttle or squid was caught on the 25th of 

 April by the crew of a "corragh," a slight narrow rowing- 

 boat constructed of hoops and tarred canvas, such as is much 

 used for line-fishing on the west coast of Ireland. The animal 

 was found basking on the surface ef the sea, and was attacked 

 by the fishermen, who could not bear to think that so much 

 good bait should be lost. Not until after a laborious chase 

 arid some danger, the arms were one by one dissevered, and 

 at last the head. The body, being too unwieldy, was allowed 

 to sink. 



From the portions thus brought ashore, Sergeant O'Connor, 

 being much interested in matters relating to fishing-operations 

 and natural history, preserved what he could ; and, in this 

 instance, but for his care the Avhole prize might have been 

 converted into bait for long-lines. A good part of both 

 tentacles, one short arm, and the great beak entire, with some 

 of the surrounding flesh attached, have reached Dublin ; and 

 there remains very little doubt that we have now to deal with a 

 second example of the famous Architeuthis dux of Steenstrup. 

 So little is known of the original specimen, and so imperfect 

 are the fragments now obtained, that the identification must 

 for the present remain incomplete. Enough, however, remains 



