CHAPTEE XVI. 
CEPHALOPODOTTS MOLLXJSCA. 
" Monstram, horrendum, informe, ingens.” Virgil. 
approach the more voluminous and perfect molluscs in the 
tiephalopods. Their name, as already stated, is taken from the posi- 
tion of the feet, which are inserted in the anterior part of the head : 
111 Greek /cecfraXij, head, and 7rous'-7roSo9, foot. 
The Cephalopodous Molluscs are greatly advanced in the scale of 
^ fi ing. for they possess in a high degree the sense of sight, hearing, 
a nd touch. They appear with the first animals which present them- 
Se lves on the earth, and they are numerous even now, although they 
ar o far from playing the important part assigned to them in the early 
a ges of organic life upon our planet. The Ammonites and Belemnites 
listed by thousands among the beings which peopled the seas during 
tiie secondary epoch in the history of the globe. 
This great class is divided into two orders : Acetabuliferous, or 
dicker-bearing, and Tentaculiferous Cephaloipods, those furnished 
' Vl th strong fleshy tentacula. 
Acetabplifeeous Cephalopoda. 
To this group belong the cuttle-fish, squids, and argonauts, among 
listing species, and the Belemnites among the fossil species. Some 
0| these creatures are large, and essentially flesh-eaters, or cami- 
v °rous ; and, if we may believe all that has been written respecting 
tiiem, very formidable ones. Listen to Michelet, while he paints the 
Warlike humour of these inhabitants of the deep: — “The Medusa) 
ail d Molluscs,” says this popular author, “ are generally innocent 
