CEPHALOPODA. 
451 
Not to oppress the reader with anatomical details, we shall just 
Remark that the gaze of the cuttle-fish is decided and threatening. 
Tts projecting eyes and golden-coloured iris are said to have something 
°f fascination in them. The animal seems able even to economise the 
power of its glance, being able to cover its eyes from time to time by 
contracting the skin which surrounds them, and bringing the two 
translucent eyelids with which it is furnished closer together. 
The cuttle-fishes are essentially aquatic and marine animals. We 
find them in every sea in all parts of the world ; but they are most 
formidable in warm countries. They have a great predilection for the 
s hore. During their youth they associate in flocks; but with age 
they fly from association, and retire into the clefts and hollows of the 
1- ocks. The old cuttle-fish is only found in rugged and rocky places, 
bristling with naked, pointed rocks, which have been worn by the waves, 
fort generally in places only a few feet below the level of low water. 
‘How often,” says D’Orbigny, “have we not observed the cuttle-fish 
rn his favourite retirement ! There, with one of his arms cramped to 
the walls of its dwelling, it extends the other towards the animals 
"'hicli pass at its gate, embraces them, and by its power renders 
^eless all their efforts to disengage themselves.” 
If we observe a cuttle- fish when it is what may be called walking, 
either on land or at the bottom of the sea, it will be seen to walk on 
°He side, its head downwards, its mouth touching the ground, the 
ar sis extended and grappling some supporting object, and drawing 
the body forward ; at the same time the arms at the opposite side are 
contracted and folded up, so as to assist by a contrary movement, 
bfo shore the movement of these animals is very slow. On the other 
band, they swim very rapidly, assisted by all their arms, and aided by 
water ejected from the locomotive tube, their movement being 
foost frequently backwards, the body first, the six superior arms 
Placed horizontally, the two others brought together above: the 
fi^t help to sustain them in their horizontal position, the last to 
Snide them, inclining to the right or left as the animal changes 
lts direction. 
The cuttle-fishes feed on crustaceans, fishes, and also on shelled 
fo°lluscs — every kind of animal, in fact, which comes within their reach ; 
8 ° that it is readily taken by means of the flesh of fish or crustaceans, 
111 which a strong hook is concealed. They live for five or six years, 
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