Marvels of the Universe 



351 



plus the length of its tentacles. These, unfortunately, had been mutilated by rolling and beating 

 on the shore ; but what was left of them measured eleven feet. Forty years ago two large Squids 

 of this kind were stranded on the shores of Newfoundland and these measured respectively forty- 

 seven and forty feet long. 



Our full-page illustration shows the Squid in mid-water pursued by a conger, and resorting to 

 its accustomed tactics — the submarine equivalent of " throwing dust in the eyes " of its opponent. 

 The ink-bag is brought into requisition and a black aqueous fog is interposed between its pursuer 

 and itself, under whose cover it will make off backwards. A very little of this ink will go a long 

 wav, as may be learned by cutting up a Squid for bait in irshing. The unskilful amateur fisherman 



who has hooked a Squid for this purpose and does not 



know how to manage his capture may have his face 



and clothes spoiled by the profuse discharge. The 



experienced fisherman contrives to keep the Squid's 



head turned awav from the boat. The ink has a 



burning, smarting effect on the skin, and its stains are 



not easily removed. 



WTien the Squid is at rest it lies on the sandy 



bottom, where it is well concealed, for its dirty white 



flesh is peppered with darker dots, and is thus very 



similar in appearance to the sand around it. 



HOW NATURE PROTECTS INSECTS 



BV EDW.\RD STEP, F.L.S. 



Insects have a multitude of natural enemies, in- 

 cluding some of their own class, whilst to many birds, 

 reptiles and some small mammals they form the staple 

 of their food supply. The constant onslaught upon 

 them that this implies is no doubt one of the reasons 

 for their marvellous fecundity. At the same time it 

 must have led to the gradual destruction of the unfit, 

 and the development of natural defences. The un- 

 armed and the undisguised would fall victims whole- 

 sale and have httle chance of leaving descendants. 

 It is thought that those that varied in form and colour 

 in the direction of harmonizing with their surroundings 

 would stand a better chance of being overlooked by 

 their enemies, and, therefore, of transmitting their 

 advantage to their progeny. In a similar way stings 

 might be , developed from organs originally intended 

 and used for piercing plants in the process of egg- 

 depositing, and the throwing off of waste substances 

 from the body might have made certain insects un- 

 palatable. 



However the advantages may have arisen, we find 

 that many insects are to-day effectively protected by 

 stinging or biting apparatus, the discharge of corrosive 

 or otherwise offensive fluids, a general unpalatable- 

 ness accompanied by conspicuous colouring that 



I'hnio hij'] IE. 



SQUIDS' ■■ PENS." 



As a sort of a backbone ibe Squid bears 

 mantle what is known as a "pen." It is tbin, 

 parent and gristle-like. The photograph is on 

 third of the actual size. 



trans 

 y one 



