The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-06-16

would be counted as problematical and mon
strous as that Of the colossal euttle>fsh.
"That it can rise to the surface seems not
unlikely, when we fad the appearance there
Of the common cuttle-fish by no means rare.
That it does occasionally leave its rocky
depths is proved by many observers.
Pennant relates, on the authority OF a
friend long resid ent in the East Indian seas,
that 'in those seas the eight armed cutie fish
has been found of such size as to measure
twelve feet in breadth across the central part,
while each arm was ftty.four feet in length
thus making it extend, from point to point,
about one hundred and twenty feet He
further states that the natives Of the Indian
Isles, when sailing III their canoes. always
take care to be provided with hatchets, in or
der Immediately to cut off the arms of such
of these animals as happen to fling them over
the sides of the canoe, lest they should pull
it under the water aud sink IT,
"Dr. Shaw, another eminent naturalist,
says. 'The existence of some enormously
large species of the cuttle>fish tribe III the
1udi.n and Northern seas can hardly be
doubted and though some accounts may
have 'been much exaggerated, yet there IS
sufficient c.use for believing that such gpe-
cies may very far surpass all that are gene;
rally observed about the coasts of European
seas
.An old captain, named John Magus
Dens. who resided in Dunkirl1 at the time
Montfort was exploring the coasts of France
to observe the habits Of the cutie fish found
thsre, related to him that, sailing once be-
tween the Isle OF ST. Helena and th. African
coast, and near the coast, the ship was be-
Gained. lie took advantage of this calm (ss
is usual on board ship TO send men over the
side to clean OF the grass which accurnulates
near the water line on long VOYAGES. Tho
men were standing on stages suspended near
the waters edge, scTaplng with iron scrapers,
when suddenly hrgo cutie fish appeared q.
the waters edge, and throwing one of his
arms about .wo Of tue men, tore The unfortu>
mates, with their stage, from the side OF the
vessel and dragged them into the water. At
the same time It threw another arm about
man who was Ist mounting the nam rig
gng; but here its arm became entangled
with the shrJuGs and ratiJHs, and II was un>
abl. to diseutangle itself The man who was
being severely squeezed. cried out for help;
and the crew Immediately ran to his assist
arce. Several threw h.rpo0ns into the boiy
of the beast. which EOw rising along the
ships side: others with axes cut in pieces
the arm which held the man to the rigging,
and took the uuiyr.Iua d0wa Oh dsck.
4" TINS done. the cutie sauk down but
the Captain paid oUt on the lines which we're
fast to the harpoous, in the hope that pre-
s-Ltly lie would be able 10 drag tGe beast up
gain and recover the Two men ThJ had been
dragged down. Ia fact, ri first, he was able
+ drag the animal toward the surface but
presently the huge beast agaIu sauk down,
and they were obliged 70 pay out the .iue, til
l. /.
forced to hold OF aui uow four of the har>
poou.. drew out, vile The fifth line broke,
aud thus all nope o. saving the unfortGnales
/ Inn the un.-t.r M.re L..