68 
NATURE OF THE 
tentacles with my hand, and held it firmly, so that the 
limb appeared as if it would be torn asunder by our 
united strength. I soon gave it a powerful jerk, wishing 
to disengage it from the rocks to which it clung so 
forcibly by its suckers, which it effectually resisted ; 
but the moment after, the apparently enraged animal 
lifted its head with its large eyes projecting from the 
middle of its body, and letting go its hold of the rocks, 
suddenly sprang upon my arm, which I had previously 
bared to my shoulder, for the purpose of thrusting it 
into holes in the rocks to discover shells, and clung 
with its suckers to it with great power, endeavouring to 
get its beak, which I could now see, between the roots 
of its arms, in a position to bite ! 
A sensation of horror pervaded my whole frame when 
I found this monstrous animal had affixed itself so 
firmly upon my arm. Its cold slimy grasp was ex- 
tremely sickening, and I immediately called aloud to 
the captain, who was also searching for shells at some 
distance, to come and release me from my disgusting 
assailant— he quickly arrived, and taking me down to 
the boat, during which time I was employed in keeping 
the beak away from my hand, quickly released me by 
destroying my tormentor with the boat knife, when I 
disengaged it by portions at a time. This animal must 
have measured across its expanded arms, about four 
feet, while its body w T as not larger than a large clenched 
hand. It was that species of sepia, which is called by 
whalers “ rock-squid.” Thus are these remarkable 
creatures, from the different adaptation of their tentacles, 
