IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 
331 
in the picture, are drawn into the shell 
when at rest, but when walking on the 
bot'om of the sea, they are used as legs, 
and when swimming about, in still another 
way which I will tell you of soon. It is 
to be presumed that they are used also in 
seizing the prey on which the Nautilus 
feeds. The droll looking tube which you 
see sticking out one side of the body, is called the siphon, and is 
used in breathing. 
In the last picture, where you see the Nautilus drawn into its 
house, you will notice that it takes good care to leave. enough of its 
bright eye out to see what is going on. If sufficiently alarmed, it 
can draw it completely in, nearly out of sight. You will also 
see sticking up what looks 
something like a cluster of 
grapes. Those are the eggs, 
for strange as it may seem, 
only Mamma Nautilus is 
the possessor of a shell, 
which is also a cradle for the babies. Papa Nautilus is quite an 
insignificant person, not nearly so large as his wife, and too lazy 
(I suppose) to build himself a house. At any rate he has none. 
The eggs are hatched here in the beautiful shell, and from here the 
little ones start out in life for themselves. 
When the Nautlius wishes to swam, or dart about in the water, 
which is all the swimming it does, it gathers its six arms into 
a straight line, spreads the other two tightly over the shell, and 
then violently expels the water from its siphon, which sends it 
with a jerk through the water, shell first, as you see in this 
picture. 
You can see the end of the tube or siphon under the eye. 
The Nautilus is a timid creature, and is never seen near 
the shore, and sometimes when caught will leave its beautiful house 
and escape into the sea. Just at dusk, or in the night, is the time 
to see the beautiful creature sporting on the water. ^ They are 
usually seen in crowds together, and only when the sea is calm. 
