Jan. 1832. 



HABITS OF OCTOPUS. 



7 



entirely disappeared and appeared again by turns. These 

 changes were effected in such a manner, that clouds^ varying 

 in tint between a hyacinth red and a chestnut brown,* were 

 continually passing over the body. Any part being sub- 

 jected to a slight shock of galvanism, became almost black : 

 a similar effect, but in a less degree, was produced by 

 scratching the skin with a needle. These clouds, or blushes, 

 as they may be called, when examined under a glass, are 

 described as being produced by the alternate expansions and 

 contractions of minute vesicles, containing variously-coloured 

 fluids.t 



This cuttle-fish displayed its chameleon-like power both 

 during the act of swimming and whilst remaining stationary 

 at the bottom. I was much amused by the various arts to 

 escape detection used by one individual, which seemed fully 

 aware that I was watching it. Remaining for a time motion- 

 less, it would then stealthily advance an inch or two, like a 

 cat after a mouse ; sometimes changing its colour : it thus 

 proceeded, till having gained a deeper part, it darted away, 

 leaving a dusky train of ink to hide the hole into which 

 it had crawled. 



While looking for marine animals, with my head about 

 two feet above the rocky shore, I was more than once 

 saluted by a jet of Vv^ater, accompanied by a slight grating 

 noise. At first I did not know what it was, but afterwards I 

 found out that it was the cuttle-fish, which, though concealed 

 in a hole, thus often led me to its discovery. That it pos- 

 sesses the power of ejecting water there is no doubt, and it 

 appeared to me certain that it could, moreover, take good 

 aim by directing the tube or siphon on the under side of its 

 body. From the difficulty which these animals have in car- 

 rying their heads, they cannot crawl with ease when placed 

 on the ground. I observed that one which I kept in the 

 cabin was slightly phosphorescent in the dark. 



St. Paul's Rocks. — In crossing the Atlantic we hove to, 



* So named according to Pat. Symes*s nomenclature. 



f See Encyclo, of Anat. and Physiol., article Ccphalojioda. 



