48 



not secrete sepia at regular distances, like the Nautilus, or, viceversd, 

 as argue the Argonaut to be a parasite because it fills its vacated spire 

 with mucus and with eggs." 



Finally, Mr. Owen proceeded to state in detail the points which 

 still remained to be elucidated in the natural history of this most in- 

 teresting MoUusk. Among other experiments he suggested that 

 the young Argonaut should be deprived of one of the velated arms, 

 aud preserved in a marine vivarium, with the view to determine the 

 influence which such mutilation might have on the future growth of 

 the shell : but in proposing further experiments, and while admitting 

 that the period of the first formation of the shell yet remained to be 

 determined, Mr. Owen stated that he regarded the facts already as- 

 certained to be decisive in proof that the Cephalopod of the Argonaut 

 was the true fabricator of its shell. « 



