Mat 4, 1883.] 



SCIENCE. 



353 



was sent to New Haven to make a copy of the 

 Architeuthis model; and, while this was in 

 progress, plans for the Octopus were often 

 discussed, and finally arrangements were made 

 for him to remain in New Haven, to assist in 

 making an Octopus model and a paper cast 

 for the fishery exhibition. 



As neither of us had seen the animal alive, 



The original description of Octopus puncta- 

 tus by Gabb, in the proceedings of the Cali- 

 fornia academy of sciences for 1862, is from 

 a small specimen preserved in alcohol, and so 

 was of little use ; and there appears to have 

 been no good description published since, 

 though there have beeo numerous notices of 

 the capture of specimens of large size. 



MODEL OF THE 



OCTOPUS HANGING IN THE WORKSHOP OP THE TALE MUSEUM. 



nor could make a trip to California for the 

 purpose, the model had to be copied chieflj' 

 from specimens preserved in alcohol, and re- 

 stored according to the best information we 

 could get as to its appearance when living. 

 The largest specimens we could get were badlj' 

 shrunken bj' the alcohol ; and one of moderate 

 size, with arms about three feet long, was 

 selected ; and from this most of the details of 

 the model were enlarged four times. 



On all anatomical points we depended chiefly 

 on Professor Verrill's knowledge of the ce- 

 phalopods. In the color, size, and position of 

 the body, we were aided by descriptions and 

 sketches by Messrs. W. H. Dall and A. Agassiz, 

 who had seen it alive. I was also guided by 

 my knowledge of Octopus Bairdii, the small 

 species of the east coast, which I had several 

 times seen alive. 



The position of the middle part of the body 



