A. E. Verrill — North American Cephalopods. 
253 
The common Octopus vulgaris (“ poulpe ” or 45 devil-fish ”) of the 
Mediterranean, 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 measuring 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 1879. 
* American Naturalist, vol. vi, p. 772, 1872. 
