Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-23
WEDNESDAY, MAY 90, 1866.
victor Hugo,s DoviI.Fish.

Decidedly the most striking episode in
Victor Hugo's last novel-" Les TraraiL
LeErs de Ia Mer is the description Of
GiIliat's encounter with the devil-fsh
among the rocks of the Douvres. Many
who read the book have doubtless regard
ed the horrible reptile which he describes
as a fiction, or at least an exaggeration.
This is not the fact. The fish is well
known TO science, and exists in all sizes,
from the harmless cuttle-6sh, an inch in
diameter, to the monstrous kraken, wi ose
enveloping arms could seize and crush the
long-bOat of man-of-war. Victor Hugos
graphic description has called public at
tention to the mysterious animal, and
many anecdotes of it are told. From
them We select the following:
"MCntfort who spent many years in
observing the habits of the cutie fish, on
two occasions met them on shore. Once
huge mastifr which accompanied him on
his explorations discovered the animal
| and drew his masters attention by his ex-
cited barking. When 1 came to the
rocks, he relates, I found a cutie fish,
whose arms were three etlong. He was
defending himself against the violent at
tscks of the dog, an animal of immense
size and strength and undaunted courage,
which had already once saved nv life
when attacked by a wolf The dog ran
around the cutie, vainly attempting to
seize the arms, which followed him with
singular dexterity, and lashed him over
the back like whips. l looked on min
ute in great astonishment at the dexterity
of the cutie, which seemed full of rage |
and showed no desire TO retreat though |
the water was Just behind it. When it |
saw me it seemed for the first time some
what intimidated. There was a change |
in its tactics. The arms struck out less |
oTtenI and 1t endeavored to drag itself TO |
tho shore. Seeing this, my brave dog
seemed encouraged. Watching chance,
ne leaped within the arms and fastened |
his teeth in one, quite near the body.
Instant Y four arms were drawn up
and twined about the dog, who struggled
vainly to free himself, and for once los
ing his courage, uttered piteous howls
and cries for help. Meantime the cutie,
whose huge protruding eyes seemed ac-
tually TO fash fire, and whose body had
turned many colors, from dark violet 10
bright scarlet, was drawing itself with
considerable speed toward the water, drag
ging with little effort the heavy body of
my struggling dog. The rough rocky
ground helped him to drag the weight
along, by giving his arms secure holds.
60 Already the monster had reached
the water side, when I could no longer
bear the sight, and rushed to the help of
my faithful dog. 1 seized two Of the
arms of the cuttle-fsh, and bracing my
feet firmly against solid rock, pulled
with all my strength. 1 succeeded in
tearing loose these arms. The animal
struggled, uttered cries of rage which re-
sembled the growl of fierce Watchdog;
and finally attacked me too, throwing
two of its arms about my person But
my brave dog had not been idle. Taking
courage from my ad vance, he had succeeded
in quite tearing off with his strong teeth
two of the arms of the cutie; and with
another struggle hewas free. Then, with
q fury which never saw equalled, he at
tackled the disabled monster, which we
together soon overpowered.
al determined" says Montfort, in con-
clusion, never again to attack an ami
nal Of this kind unarmed, or to venture
to close quarters with it,
"The vast strength and determination
of the cuttle-iish will apper when we
know that though this individual spread
nearly nine feet his body was not large-
than pumpkin"