CEPHALOPODS. 483 
there is a white border, accompanied inside with a second edging of 
a beautiful violet. The median and anterior parts of the body are 
spotted here and there ; beneath, a whitish tint with reddish speckles 
prevails, 
The sepie are found on every shore, and wherever they are found 
they are eaten, for their flesh is savoury. They are usually fried or 
boiled. They form an excellent bait for large ground-fish, such as 
dog-fish, rays, and congers, which are fond of their flesh. 
Thirty species are known, and they are chiefly characterised by 
the arrangement and form of the suckers of the arms. Sepia officinalis 
is common on the shores of the ocean from Sweden to the Canaries, 
in all parts of the Mediterranean, and on our own British shores. 
Fig. 326.—Sepia officinalis (Linnaus). 
The third family, Belemnitide, contains the genera Belemnoteuthes 
and Belemnites, and other genera of less importance; they are all 
now extinct, although once numerous as to species. 
The fourth family, Zeuthide, contains Loligopsis, Cranchia, 
Sepiola, Onychoteuthis, Loligo, and others. 
The Calamaries or Squids were described by Aristotle under the 
name of Yefgis, and by Pliny under that of Loligo, which is still 
retained as the name of one genus. Their popular name of Calmar 
(calamar in old French) is taken from their resemblance to certain 
species of ink-holders. Oppian, who endowed the Argonaut. with 
wings, believed that the calmar also could take to the air, in order to 
avoid his enemies. Nevertheless, he was much puzzled how to give 
the form and functions of a bird toa fish. Themistocles, by way of 
insult to the Eretrians, likened them to calmars, saying they had 
swords and no hearts. Athenzeus, a Greek physician before Galen, 
dwelt upon the nourishing properties of the flesh of the calmar. 
: FR 2 
