102 



This, for the strangeness of the animal, is both curious 

 and pretty, from the colours and contrivance of nature iu 

 giving it such arms and so many suckers for its size. 

 The whole may seem extremely strange to new ob- 

 servers, and more so when we can tell them that these 

 arms are in some kinds said to be extended to above 50 feet 

 in length, so as to embrace a boat and crew, and pull them 

 down to satisfy the animal's voracious appetite*. They are 

 said to give a phosphorescent light when opened : this 

 might happen to other animals in a certain state of putre- 

 faction. Ours had some black inky matter in the pouch, 

 said to be the substance used for Indian Ink. It differs very 

 little from soot, which there is little doubt may be more 

 conuBonly used. 



■* The Indians carry liatcheJs to cut o/f these arms, and relieve the boats* 



