A. M Verrill — North American Cephalopods. 253 



The common Octopus vulgaris (" poiilpe " or " devil-fish ") of the 

 IMediterranean, sometimes grows to a somewhat formidable size. 

 According to Verany, the largest one seen by him was 9 feet long 

 and weighed 25 kilogrammes (Tryon). This one was captured by a 

 fisherman, with his hands only. 



A large species, perhaps the same, occurs in the West Indies. 

 According to Professor B. G. Wilder,* a correspondent, Mr. J. S. 

 George, of Nassau, N. P., mentions, in a letter, the occurrence there 

 of an Octopus " ten feet long, each arm measui'ing five feet ; the 

 weight was estimated at between two hundred and three hundred 

 pounds." It was found dead on the beach. 



Specimens of similar size have been recorded from other parts of 

 the world, while more or less fabulous accounts of more gigantic 

 forms are numerous, especially among the early writers. But at 

 present it seems most probable that the large fragments recorded 

 as being frequently vomited by wounded sperm whales, belong to 

 species allied to Architeuthis, though such fragments have often been 

 referred to Octopus. 



There is no satisfactory evidence that any of these species of Octo- 

 pus ever intentionally attack man, or that any one has ever been 

 seriously injured by them. They are rather sluggish and timid 

 creatures, seeking shelter in holes and crevices among rocks. They 

 feed mainly upon bivalve mollusks, but will also eat fish, and might, 

 perhaps, like lobsters and crabs, devour dead bodies. Their power 

 and ferocity, as well as their size, have often been excessively exagge- 

 rated. 



ERRATA. 

 Page 190, line 32, for 2-5, read 3-5. 

 Page 193, line 11, for 1878, read IS'ig. 



* American Naturalist, vol. vi, p. 772, 1872. 



