468 
THE OCEAN WORLD. 
attaches its eggs, which are pear-shaped, that is, pointed at one 
extremity, while a long lani'ere of a gelatinous nature, flat and black 
in appearance, with which they are provided, surrounds the soh‘1 
body like a ring. Each female lays and attaches in this mannei 
from twenty to thirty eggs, which are clustered together somewhat 
like a bunch of fine black grapes (Fig. 326). About a month aft er 
this the eggs are hatched. 
The colours of Sepia officinalis vary considerably ; but in gener a 
it may be remarked that the males are ornamented with deep 61 ’ 
colours than the females. Transverse bands of a blackish bro^ 11 
furrow their backs, and diminish their breadth. Outside of these 
bands are small spots of a vivid white: very near the edge there 
is a white border, accompanied inside with a second edging a 
beautiful violet. The median and anterior parts of the body alb 
Fig. 326. Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus). 
spotted here and there ; beneath, a whitish tint with reddish spec 
prevails. 
The cuttle-fishes are found on every shore, and wherever they 
■Pies 
»r e 
ally 
found they are eaten, for their flesh is savoury. They are u sU _ 
fried or boiled. They form an excellent bait for large bottom' 1 -' 8 ’ 
such as dog-fish, rays, and congers, which are fond of their flesh. 
Thirty species are known, and they are chiefly characterised by 
arrangement and form of the cupules of the arms. Sepia office 
is common on the shores of the ocean from Sweden to the Can® 11 
and in all parts of the Mediterranean. c 
The Caimans were described by Aristotle under the name 
Yeffics', and by Pliny under that of Loligo, which is still retame ^ 
the generic name. Their popular name of Calmar (calamar m ^ 
French) is taken from their resemblance to certain species of ^ 
