Octopus Caught at Santa Catalina, twenty-two feet across.
By permission of Mr. Chas. Fredk. Holder.
Squid Caught at Santa Catalina, 20 feet in length.
(In Newfoundland a species reaches 70 feet.)
By permission of Mr. Chas. Fredk. Holder.
Suddenly, as a wave washed it within a few feet of the crab, two of the tentacles darted out so swiftly that Colin could scarcely follow the move until they were upon the crab, the rest of the body of the octopus flattening itself upon the sand as though to secure a greater purchase. The crab set both its claws into the soft flesh of the tentacles, whereupon, with a series of horrible convulsions, the cuttlefish lumbered entirely out of the sea and, with two or three repulsive and sinuous gyrations, it forced itself bodily over the crab. By this means the outstretched membranes at the base of the tentacles smothered the movements of the prey and prevented escape, while at the same time the mouth and biting beaks were brought into position where they could find a vital part.
"Do you want zat one as a specimen?" asked the boatman.
Colin was conscious inwardly that he would have preferred to have nothing at all to do with the repulsive object, but as he had come out in pursuit of an octopus, he would not, for the world, have shown the white feather before the boatman.