308 



THE ROCK SQUID. 



water. This peculiar action has been compared by the writer to that of an eight-pronged cork- 

 screw. An interesting account of the Flying Squid may be seen in Bennett's "Winding 

 Voyage," where ir is casually mentioned that these creatures frequently leaped on the deck 

 of the vessel in their daring flight, and sometimes struck themselves violently against the 

 bows, and fell back injured into the sea. This Squid has even been known to fling itself fairly 

 over the ship, and to fall in the water on the other side. 



One species of Squid is tolerably common on European coasts, and is often used for bait 

 by European fishermen. 



Our present example of this family is the Little Squid, or Sepiola, of which genus six 

 species are known, inhabiting most parts of the world. The specimen from which our illus- 

 tration was taken was of very large size. 



SEPIOLA.— Sepiola atlantica. (a, front; b, back.) 



One species, the Rock Squid, which sometimes attains a large size, may be considered as 

 a, formidable antagonist, if irritated. 



Squid are not used in America as food, but immense quantities are consumed as fishing-bait. 



Family Sepiolidce is represented on our shores by genera Sepiola, Bossia, and Hetero- 

 teuthis, the species being rarely seen. 



Family Cranchiidce has one genus, CrancMa. The body is short and round, with two 

 small tins on the hinder end. The head is small, with large eyes, the corneas of which are 

 perforated, so that the sea-water penetrates to the lenses. 



Family DesmoleuthidcB is closely allied, having two genera, DesmoteutMs and Taonius, 

 the bodies of which are longer and pointed posteriorly. 



Family Loligopsidoe. Forms of this family are longer, and the fins are large; the head 

 very small, Genus Histioteuthis is represented by three species only, two of which inhabit 

 the Mediterranean, and the other, //. collinsii, the waters off Nova Scotia. One imperfect 

 specimen, and the beaks of two others, are all that have been found. Four other prominent 

 genera are recognized. 



The family Teut7iid(B is characterized by having horny, recurved hooks, in lieu of the 

 suckers on the tentacular arms. These arms have sucking discs by which they are, when 

 necessary, united along their length, leaving the ends to act as forceps in the capture of prey. 



