444 A DESCRIPTION OF 
mouth of these animals is hard, strong, and horny, re<- 
sembling, both in texture and substance, the beak of a 
parrot. The body is of a jelly-like substance, and usually 
covered with a coarse skin, having the appearance of 
leather. Unlike all other inhabitants of the water which 
are without a backbone, the Sepia possesses two large 
and brilliant eyes, covered with a hard transparent sub- 
stance. By means of the numerous circular cups or 
suckers with which the arms are furnished, they seize 
their prey, and firmly attach themselves to rocks and 
other hard substances. Their adhesive power is so great, 
that it is generally more easy to tear off the arms, than 
separate them from the substance to which they are 
affixed. If the arms happen to be broken off, they are 
soon afterwards reproduced. The size to which this crea- 
ture grows has been variously stated ; and, although evi- 
dently exaggerated by some authors, it undoubtedly at- 
tains to a very considerable magnitude. When attacked in 
its own element, it has been known to overcome a large dog. 
Its jaws are extremely strong and powerful, and with its 
beak it can crush in pieces the shells of all marine testa- 
ceous animals on which it feeds. In the body of the 
Cuttle-fish is a bladder filled with a dark inky fluid, which 
the animal emits on contraction when alarmed. This 
not only tinges the water so as to conceal its retreat, but 
is at the same time so bitter as immediately to drive off 
its enemies. 
Pursued he bids the sable fountain flow, 
And, wrapt in clouds, eludes th' impending foe. 
The fish retreats unseen, while self-born night, 
With pious shade, befriends her parent's flight. 
This inky fluid, when dried, forms a very valuable colour, 
used by artists, and called after the animal Sepia. 
The bone, or calcareous plate of the Sepia Officinalis, 
a species common on our coasts, is a well-known sub- 
