OCEAN GARDENS; 



Greeks and Romans. It is a kind of Sepia^ in fact, 

 that still furnishes the rich brown colour which 

 bears the name of the animal from which it is 

 derived. 



The common Sepia vulgaris might form an 

 appropriate specimen for a marine Aquarium, 

 many of its habits being singular ; and its power of 

 enveloping itself in a cloud of its own rich dye 

 may often be observed when it is irritated by the 

 presence of a real or fancied danger. It has the 

 faculty of propelling itself hither or thither by the 

 emission of a jet of water, as described in speaking 

 of the locomotive power of other Molluscs, with 

 the additional faculty of guiding its motions by the 

 rapid movement of two fin-like paddles, which, 

 when in agitation, produce an effect not unlike the 

 fluttering action of the wings of a moth. This 

 little Ceplialopod has large projecting eyes, and a 

 group of arms that hang listlessly down when the 

 fins are in motion. It changes colour fitfully and 

 beautifully, exhibiting in the course of such changes 

 pretty metallic spots and rings, which appear and 

 disappear, now like gold, now like silver, as seen 

 through a semi-opaque substance. The whole crea- 

 ture is at one moment of a dusky gray tone, but 

 fitfully changes to white or deep brown when 



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