THE ROCK SQUID. 
308 
water. This peculiar action has been compared by the writer to that of an eight-pronged cork- 
screw. An interesting account of the Flying Squid may be seen in Bennett’s “ Whaling 
Voyage,” where it is casually mentioned that these creatures frequently leaped on the deck 
of the vessel in their daring flight, and sometimes struck themselves violently against the 
bows, and fell back injured into the sea. This Squid has even been known to fling itself fairly 
over the ship, and to fall in the water on the other side. 
One species of Squid is tolerably common on European coasts, and is often used for bait 
by European fishermen. 
Our present example of this family is the Little Squid, or Sepiola, of which genus six 
species are known, inhabiting most parts of the world. The specimen from which our illus- 
tration was taken was of very large size. 
SEPIOLA. —Sepiola atlantica. (a, front; b, back.) 
One species, the Rock Squid, which sometimes attains a large size, may be considered as 
a formidable antagonist, if irritated. 
Squid are not used in America as food, but immense quantities are consumed as fishing-bait. 
Family Sepiolidce is represented on our shores by genera Sepiola, Hossia, and Hetero- 
teutMs, the species being rarely seen. 
Family Cranchiiclce has one genus, Qranchia. The body is short and round, with two 
small fins on the hinder end. The head is small, with large eyes, the corneas of which are 
perforated, so that the sea-water penetrates to the lenses. 
Family Desmoteuthidce is closely allied, having two genera, DesmoteutMs and Taonius, 
the bodies of which are longer and pointed posteriorly. 
Family Loligopsidoe. Forms of this family are longer, and the fins are large ; the head 
very small. Genus HistioteutMs is represented by three species only, two of which inhabit 
the Mediterranean, and the other,' H. collinsU, the waters off Nova Scotia. One imperfect 
specimen, and the beaks of two others, are all that have been found. Four other prominent 
genera are recognized. 
The family TeutMdce is characterized by having horny, recurved hooks, in lieu of the 
suckers on the tentacular arms. These arms have sucking discs by which they are, when 
necessary, united along their length, leaving the ends to act as forceps in the capture of prey. 
