Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-05-28
IN OCTOPUS Is A QUEER BRUTE,
IF YOU DO NOT THINK so, READ
< = = r = y y = y
ABOUT ONE BONE 1T BOASTS

Why does an octopus have eye
Ids?
This Is a question which science
has failed to answer, but one which
Howard S. Trainer, who is lectur-
ing OH the l2-foot octopus caught
at Brazos Santiago Pass recently
and which is on display now at
the Cromack building, answers
quite logically.
Mature has provided an octopus
with a most unusal method OF pro-
lection. II squirts ink, binding its
foes. IS II logical that this ink,
which blinds the octopus oppon-
ents. should blind 1t too? i do not
think SO. Hence the eyelids," ex-
plains Mr.. Trainer. "Deep-sea div
ers say that an octopus is con-
tinually blinking. I believe that
when the ink Is squirted from its
ink-sack that the action OF the
eyelids keeps the octopus from be-
ing blinded"
The 12-foot octopus. thought the
largest ever seen in waters adjacent
TO Port Isabel or Padre Island, was
killed with a rife by Leonard
Trimble, son OF r. ~. Trimble, To-
| cal architect. II was beached by
young Trimble. his father. and II.
G.. Blanchard. Mr.. Blanchard
picked IL in formaldehyde to
preserve it. and then sold il TO a
company which will tour the United
States. II. S. Trainer, who has had
a great deal OF experience with
deep-Sea fish. is TO accompany the
party and will lecture.
Mr.. Trainer. who has lived in the
Valley for some time, diSprOveS
many n myth connected with octOpi.
Il have been asked If an octopus
the size OF this one can kill a man,
and | answer emphatically that II
can Mr.. Trainer explained today.
However, contrary to popular OPP
inion. an octopus Is not antagonist
iC, and will not attack a man or a
diver unless he comes too close.
Many persons believe that the oc-
topus Is extremely active. but ne
isn't"
oDGAAAlAE Vi INV ~ ONACtA1
propelled itself through the water,
the lecturer explained that 1t car
ried itself along with its eight
arms, or legs. In addition, and this
Is not generally known, he added
Il can suck water into its body. and
force it out a small ~canal-like
tube with amazing force. and this
carries 10 along in spurts.
tit is common belief that an
octopus squeezes its victims TO
death, but this Is impossible. II has
no such power" Mr.. Trainer point
ed out. Explaining that it's arms
were homeless and without power
except in its innumerable suckers,
he proved this by tying one of the
arm. IN an intricate knot.
The suckers are In two lines on
each arm or tentacle. and continue
70 the very tip. The suckers on the
tip are almost invisible to the naked
eye. being SO small. 1t Is through
these suckers that an octoNls de-
rives It's tremendous power. IL can
catch a fish or human. and hold
Il with the suckers OF one or two
arms and catch another arm on
a rock. It is practically impossible
to escape. The suckers are circular
with a hole in the center like q
dou1hnut. In this hole is a piston
which works UP and down similar
10 a piston In an automobile. This
Is what gives II the sucking power.
How can n tell a male from
a female?" Is another question that
science fails TO answer with any
degree OF certainty. The accented
theory Is that there IS one differ
ence between the srxes-on re
female the suckers do not extend
TO the tip Of one arm. and on this
same arm runs a white line. from
the tip to the base. On the male,
all arms are exactly alike. with
suckers running TO the tip Of all
| tentacles.
II this Is correct. the Port Isabel
octopus is a female.
Mr.. Trainer next explained how
an octopus could eat mol
lusks. or shellfish such as crabs
Holsters. etc.
IAN octopus has one bone In rs
body. and that bone is a beak-like
thing exactly IN the center and
under the body. II catches a crab
or any other shellfish with It's
arms, and then carries Il to this
beak. The beak taps the shell un-