C 293 3 
XXII. Observations on the genus Ocythoe of Rafinesque, with a 
description of a new species. By William Elford Leach, 
M. D. F. R. S. 
Read June 5, 1817. 
Pliny, Aldrovandus, Lister, Rumphius, d’ArgenvillB, 
Bruguiere, Bose, Cuvier, and Shaw, have described a spe- 
cies of this genus, that is often found in the Argonauta argo 
(common paper-nautilus) and which they have regarded as 
its animal, since no other inhabitant has been observed in it. 
Sir Joseph Banks, and some other naturalists, have always 
entertained a contrary opinion, believing it to be no more than 
a parasitical inhabitant of the Argonaut’s shell, and Rafi- 
nesque, (whose situation on the shores of the Mediterra- 
nean, has afforded him ample opportunities of studying this 
animal, and of observing its habits) has regarded it as a pecu- 
liar genus, allied to the Polypus* of Aristotle, residing 
parasitically in the above mentioned shell. 
Dr. Blainville, ten months since, when speaking of the 
Argonauta , said, “ animal unknown,” and he has lately in- 
formed me, that he has written a long dissertation to prove, 
that the Ocythoe of Rafinesque, does not belong to the shell 
in which it is found. 
The observations made by the late Mr. John Cr an ch, 
zoologist to the unfortunate Congo expedition, have cleared 
from my mind any doubts on the subject. In the gulf of 
* Sepia octopodia Linne. 
