Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-08
LOLIGO CUTTLE.
Fish That Squirts Ink Into the Face
of Its Enemy.

of Its Enemy.
From tho Contemporary Review. 49,.
The largest loligo I have seen measured
three feet eight inches without attempting
to stretch its tentacles. Like the fishes.
they seem to sleep with one eye closed at a
time, as 1 have seen them resting on the
sea bottom for this purpose, and when the
bait fell near the sleeping Side 1t was I'M
observed. but when dropped on the other 1t
was gripped at once.
Their enemies are all the carniverous
fishes. which they often eyade either by
evolution. fight. or mfmicry, for all of
which devices they have some special adap-
tations In the first, instance, they have
two tough, flexible fms or wings, high on
the back. which enable them to swim for
ward or backward without turning, which
is an accommodation of great utility in
either attack or retreat, Then. their eyes
are so situated as almost to command a
circle. This also in q fight, IS invaluable,
for they can see all their enemies end
know their power, and can advance re-
tire as the occasion may require. Then,
besides their Ink bag, they have muscular
siphon enabling them to shoot their enemies
In the air some ten feet and III the sea some
three or four feet away
Not long ago friend OF mine saw a
sk1rmlsh between a loligo and its enemy, in
which the cutie came off the victor. He
was fishing in the clear water off Mevagis-
sey bay, and, wishing to catch q John
Doree, he tied the end of his line to the
1T into the sea- Now. a doree is fond of
iV1nS food and likes to swallow 1t head
foremost. This suits the fisherman. as when
deVoured In this form the spines Of the
Dream act as hooks to the fisherman's lines
and are sure to bring all on board.
The Dream had not got far down in the
sea before q cutie saw it and quickly fas-
tened on to the back Of its neck. and be-
fore any steps We're taken to scare 1t away
a large doree was seen coming to the front.
Ihere was no doubt or hesitation about its
purpose, for 1t was seen that it desired to
swallow the lot, as 1t was quietly going
forward all the time, but taking side view
as the opportunity best offered When
about fve feet from its quarry there was q
Violent rush on 1t, with jaws wide open, but
there was just as quick action on the other
SIDE. FOR Tor, the contents of tho Ink bag We're
as quickly shot into the open mouth. In an
instant, with the impetus Of the rush, the
doree was In cloud Of thick darkness and
the cutie skunk out of sight
Inc doree appeared out Of the muddle in
dreadful state: its eyes rolled as If in
terror and Its beautiful olive skin had
turned deadly pale. while its coughing and
running were something to be remembered,
black matter being, again and again ex-
perforated from gills and mouth. 1t was
really thought that the creature was about
10 Ole, and the gan was got ready to take
1t on board, for its'had fioated up within
nouF teet oi the Don't, but. noting her out
line. 1t gently sank into the depths below
When gaff1ng the.outtle for bait the face
or the hsherman-unless he has something
white about him-is always the loligo's
target for shooting out of the water.
l remember having q noted London Coo
tor out at sea for a little amateur fishing
He would like to SEGA ioigo cutie caught.
ne said warned him of what was likely
to happen when gazing was on. but he did
not care Surely, he said. II can dodge
such guesswork as this must be for so short
time" l felt dubious ms to the result.
seeing his white shirt was a prominent OBJ
Ject through his having such an open vest
FINALLY cutie took the bait, and as 1 drew
IT toward US the doctor lost all thought of
himself and his adornments in his admira-
eyes Of the cre oySement ana the beautiful
as gained 1t, then whole ink charge struck
him in the throat