ZOOLOGICAL 
OCTOPUS IN RESTING POSITION. 
One specimen white, the other changing color. 
Photo by L. L. Mowbray. 
sucker-covered arms to the side of the boat that 
it cannot be loosened without injury. 
The hiding place of the octopus is discovered 
with the aid of a water glass which renders ob- 
jects on the bottom quite distinct at a depth of 
two or three fathoms. This contrivance, used 
by fishermen generally in the West Indies, is 
nothing more than a box or bucket with a bottom 
of glass. Placed on the surface of the water 
alongside the boat, it is easily managed by in- 
serting ones face in the open top. The lair of 
the octopus is indicated by the scattered shells 
of mollusks or crustaceans, 
such as oysters, clams, mus- 
sels, scallops, spiny lobsters 
and crabs of many kinds ly- 
ing in front of it. The ani- 
mal carries most of its food 
to its hiding place, and the 
quantity of rejected shells 
thrown in front of it forms 
a conspicuous mound some- 
times a yard in diameter 
and a foot in height. 
In capturing the octopus 
alive, the diver thrusts a 
handful of salt wrapped in 
dough into the hole occu- 
pied as a hiding place. 
The immediate softening 
of the dough envelop liber- 
ates the salt, which irritates 
the animal causing it to dart 
SOCIETY 
BULLETIN. 649 
out, when it may be seized 
with the hands. The diver 
wears a bathing suit and 
holds the octopus against 
one hand 
as he swims up to the boat, 
being careful not to injure 
his breast with 
it by getting his fingers 
under the edge of its man- 
tle. The animal of course 
takes hold of the man with 
its arms, but the diver is 
not bitten. Contrary to 
general belief the octopus, 
at least when of ordinary 
size, although armed with 
a formidable  parrot-like 
beak, is perfectly harm- 
less, never attempting to 
bite. 
The octopus does not 
discharge the contents of 
its ink bag until after it 
has darted from its lair. It attempts to retreat 
under the cover thus afforded, which is sufficient 
to cloud the water for a couple of feet. While 
occupying its lair it has the habit of clearing 
the entrance of any small objects that may be 
thrown there, by a discharge of water from its 
siphon. When disturbed it gathers the nearest 
empty shells, which adhering to the strong suck- 
ers of its arms, are used as a shield to guard the 
entrance. Ordinarily it lies quite out of sight, 
except for one arm held over its eyes, ready to 
seize prey or protect the entrance. When un- 
OCTOPUS ATTACHED TO THE GLASS FRONT OF THE TANK BY ITS SUCKERS. 
Photo by L. B. Spencer. 
