Note 12 — THE EYES BUSY ON THINGS ABOUT US.

“Cuttle-fish.” A molluscous shell-fish. The shell is internal, and is of a friable, calcareous substance, much used for making pounce, tooth powder, and for polishing purposes. The fishes are provided with eight arms and two long tentacles, all of which are ranged round the head and provided with suckers, which take such fast hold of objects that the limbs will sometimes tear away before they will let go. The animal is provided with an ink bag as a means of defense; when attacked it instantly darkens the water with this black fluid, and so conceals itself, and often makes its escape. They have very large eyes, which are designed for use in the night, as the animal seems to shun the light of day. It is not easily caught, and is one of the pests of Scottish fishermen, as it frequently devours the fish which have been caught in their nets.