The loligo is also able to dart3 above the surface of the water, and the scallop does the same, like an arrow as it were. In the s?pia, the male is parti-colored, blacker than the female, and more courageous4. If the female is struck with a fish-spear, the male comes to her aid; but the female, the instant the male is struck, takes to flight. Both of them, as soon as they find themselves in danger of being caught, discharge 145 a kind of ink, and thus darkening the water, take to flight.
There are numerous kinds of polypi. The land polypus is larger than that of the sea; they all of them use their arms as feet and hands. The polypus has a sort of passage in the back, by which it lets in and discharges the water, and which it shifts from side to side, sometimes carrying it on the right, and sometimes on the left. It swims obliquely5, with the head on one side, which is of surprising hardness while the animal is alive, being puffed6 out with air. In addition to this, they have cavities dispersed7 throughout the claws, by means of which, through suction, they can adhere to objects, with the head upwards8, so tightly, that they cannot be torn away. They cannot attach themselves, however, to the bottom of the sea, and their retentive9 powers are weaker in the larger ones. These are the only soft fish that come on dry land, and then only where the surface is rugged10: a smooth surface they will not come near. They feed upon the flesh of shellfish, the shells of which they can easily break in the embrace of their arms: their retreat may be easily detected by the pieces of shell which lie before it. Although, in other respects, this is looked upon as a remarkably11 stupid kind of animal, so much so, that it will swim towards the hand of a man, in its own domestic matters it manifests considerable intelligence. It carries its prey to its home, and after eating all the flesh, throws out the debris12, and then pursues such small fish as may chance to swim towards them. It also changes its color, according to the aspect of the place where it is, and more especially when it is alarmed. The notion is entirely13 unfounded that it gnaws14 its own arms; this mischance befalls it from the congers; but it is perfectly15 true that its arms shoot forth16 again, like the tail in the colotus and the lizard17.
Among the most remarkable18 curiosities among all the inhabitants of the sea is the animal which has the name of 146 nautilus, or, as some people call it, the pompilos. Lying with the head upwards, it rises to the surface of the water, raising itself little by little, while, by means of a certain conduit in its body, it discharges all the water, and this being got rid of like so much bilge-water as it were, it finds no difficulty in sailing along the surface. Then, extending backwards19 its two front arms, it stretches out between them a membrane20 of marvellous thinness, which acts as a sail spread out to the wind, while with the rest of its arms it paddles along below, steering21 itself with its tail in the middle, which acts as a rudder. Thus does it make its way along the deep, mimicking22 the appearance of a light Liburnian bark; while, if anything chances to cause it alarm, in an instant it draws in the water, and sinks out of sight.
Belonging to the genus of polypi is the animal known as the oz?na, being so called from the peculiarly strong smell exhaled25 by the head; in consequence of which, the mur?n? pursue it with the greatest eagerness. The polypi keep themselves concealed27 for two months in the year; they do not live beyond two years, and always die of consumption. I must not omit here the observations which Lucullus, the proconsul of B?tica, made with reference to the polypus, and which Trebius Niger, one of his suite28, has published. He says that it is remarkably fond of shell-fish, and that these, the moment that they feel themselves touched by it, close their valves, and cut off the feelers of the polypus, thus making a meal at the expense of the plunderer30. Shell-fish are destitute31 of sight, as well as of all other sensations but those which warn them of hunger and the approach of danger. Hence the polypus lies in ambush32 till the fish opens its shell, immediately upon which, it places within it a small pebble33, taking care, at the same time, to keep it from touching34 the body of the animal, lest, by making some movement, it should chance to eject it. Having made itself thus secure, it attacks its prey, and draws out the flesh, while the other tries to contract 147 itself, but all in vain, in consequence of the separation of the shell, thus effected by the insertion of the wedge. So great is the instinctive35 shrewdness in animals that are otherwise quite remarkable for their lumpish stupidity.
In addition to the above, the same author states, that no animal in existence is more dangerous for its powers of destroying a human being when in the water. Embracing his body, it counteracts36 his struggles, and draws him under with its feelers and its numerous suckers, when, as often is the case, it happens to make an attack upon a shipwrecked mariner37 or a child. If, however, the animal is turned over, it loses all its power; for when it is thrown upon the back, the arms open of themselves.
The other particulars, which the same author has given, appear still more closely to border upon the marvellous. At Carteia, in the preserves there, a polypus was in the habit of coming from the sea to the pickling-tubs that were left open, and devouring38 the fish laid in the salt—for it is quite astonishing how eagerly all sea-animals follow the smell of salted condiments39, so that for this reason the fishermen take care to rub the inside of the wicker fish-kipes with them.—At last, by its repeated thefts and immoderate depredations40, it drew down upon itself the wrath41 of the keepers of the works. Palisades were placed before them, but these the polypus managed to get over by the aid of a tree, and it was only caught at last by calling in the assistance of trained dogs, which surrounded it at night, as it was returning to its prey; upon which, the keepers, awakened42 by the noise, were struck with alarm at the novelty of the sight presented. First of all, the size of the polypus was enormous beyond all conception; then it was covered all over with dried brine, and exhaled a most dreadful stench. Who could have expected to find a polypus there, or could have recognized it as such under these circumstances? They really thought that they were joining battle with some monster, for at one instant, it would drive off the 148 dogs by its horrible fumes43, and lash44 at them with the extremities45 of its feelers; while at another, it would strike them with its stronger arms, giving blows with so many clubs, as it were; and it was only with the greatest difficulty that it could be despatched with the aid of a considerable number of three-pronged fish-spears. The head of this animal was shown to Lucullus; it was in size as large as a cask of fifteen amphor?, and had a beard, to use the expressions of Trebius himself, which could hardly be encircled with both arms, full of knots, like those upon a club, and thirty feet in length; the suckers or calicules, as large as an urn23, resembled a basin in shape, while the teeth again were of a corresponding largeness: its remains46, which were carefully preserved as a curiosity, weighed seven hundred pounds. The same author also informs us, that specimens48 of the s?pia and the loligo have been thrown up on the same shores of a size fully47 as large: in our own seas the loligo is sometimes found five cubits in length, and the s?pia, two. These animals do not live beyond two years.
Mucianus relates that he has seen, in the Propontis, another curious resemblance to a ship in full sail. There is a shell-fish, he says, with a keel, just like that of the vessel49 which we know by the name of acatium, with the stern curving inwards, and a prow50 with the beak51 attached. In this shell-fish there lies concealed also an animal known as the nauplius, which bears a strong resemblance to the s?pia, and only adopts the shell-fish as the companion of its pastimes. There are two modes, he says, which it adopts in sailing; when the sea is calm, the voyager hangs down its arms, and strikes the water as with a pair of oars52; but if the wind invites, it extends them, employing them by way of a helm, and turning the mouth of the shell to the wind. The pleasure experienced by the shell-fish is that of carrying the other, while the amusement of the nauplius consists in steering; and thus, at the same moment, is an instinctive joy felt by 149 these two creatures, devoid53 as they are of all sense, unless, a natural antipathy54 to man—for it is a well-known fact, that to see them thus sailing along, is a bad omen29, and that it is portentous55 of misfortune to those who witness it.[140]
The cray-fish, which belongs to the class of bloodless animals, is protected by a brittle56 crust. This creature, like the crab57, keeps itself concealed for five months. But at the beginning of spring both of them, after the manner of snakes, throw off old age, and renew their coverings. While other animals swim on the water, cray-fish float with a kind of action like creeping. They move onwards, if there were nothing to alarm them, in a straight line, extending on each side their horns, which are rounded at the point by a ball peculiar24 to them; but when alarmed, they straighten these horns, and proceed with a sidelong motion. They use these horns when fighting with each other. The cray-fish is the only animal that has the flesh in a pulpy58 state, and not firm and solid, unless it is cooked alive in boiling water.
The cray-fish frequents rocky places, the crab spots which present a soft surface. In winter they both choose such parts of the shore as are exposed to the heat of the sun, in summer they withdraw to the shady recesses59 of deep inlets of the sea. All fish of this kind suffer from the cold of winter, but become fat during autumn and spring, particularly during the full moon; for the warmth of that luminary60, as it shines in the night, renders the temperature of the weather more moderate.
There are various kinds of crabs61, known as carabi, lobsters62, mai?, paguri, heracleotici, lions, and others of less note. The carabus differs from other crabs, in having a tail; in Ph?nicia they are called hippoi, or horses, being of such extraordinary swiftness, that it is impossible to overtake them. Crabs are long-lived, and have eight feet, all of which are 150 bent63 obliquely; besides which, the animal has two claws with indented64 pincers. The upper part only of these forefeet is movable: the right claw is the largest in them all. Sometimes they assemble together in large bodies; but as they are unable to cross the mouth of the Black Sea, they turn back again and go round by land, and the road by which they travel is to be seen all beaten down with their foot-marks.
The smallest crab known is the pinnotheres. It is peculiarly exposed to danger, but its shrewdness is evinced by its concealing65 itself in the shell of the oyster66, removing as it grows larger, to those of a larger size.
Crabs, when alarmed, go backwards as swiftly as when moving forwards. They fight like rams67, butting68 at each other with their horns. They have a mode of curing themselves of the bites of serpents. It is said, that while the sun is passing through the sign of Cancer, the dead bodies of the crabs, which are lying thrown up on the shore, are transformed into serpents.
To the same class also belongs the sea-urchin, which has spines69 in place of feet; its mode of moving along is to roll like a ball, hence it is that these animals are often found with their prickles rubbed off. Those among them which have the longest spines of all, are known by the name of echinometr?, while at the same time their body is the very smallest. They are not all of them of the same glassy color; in the vicinity of Torone they are white, with very short spines. The eggs of all of them are bitter, and are five in number; the mouth is situate in the middle of the body, and faces the earth. It is said that these creatures foreknow the approach of a storm at sea, and that they take up little stones with which they cover themselves, and so provide a sort of ballast against their volubility, for they are very unwilling70 by rolling along to wear away their prickles. As soon as seafaring persons 151 observe this, they at once moor71 their ship with several anchors.
To the same genus also belong both land and water snails72, which thrust the body forth from their abode73, and extend or contract two horns. They are without eyes,[141] and have, therefore, to feel their way, by means of these horns.
To the same class belong the sea-scallops, which also conceal26 themselves during severe frosts and great heats; as well as the onyches, which shine in the dark like fire, and in the mouth even while being eaten.
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1
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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8
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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retentive
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| v.保留的，有记忆的；adv.有记性地，记性强地；n.保持力 | |
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10
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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14
gnaws
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| 咬( gnaw的第三人称单数 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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15
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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18
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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membrane
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| n.薄膜，膜皮，羊皮纸 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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23
urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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24
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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25
exhaled
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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26
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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28
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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29
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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30
plunderer
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| 掠夺者 | |
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31
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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32
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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34
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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35
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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counteracts
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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38
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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39
condiments
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| n.调味品 | |
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40
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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41
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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42
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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43
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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44
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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45
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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46
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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47
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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48
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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49
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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50
prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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51
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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52
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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53
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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54
antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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55
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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56
brittle
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| adj.易碎的；脆弱的；冷淡的；(声音)尖利的 | |
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57
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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58
pulpy
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| 果肉状的，多汁的，柔软的； 烂糊； 稀烂 | |
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59
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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60
luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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61
crabs
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| n.蟹( crab的名词复数 )；阴虱寄生病；蟹肉v.捕蟹( crab的第三人称单数 ) | |
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62
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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63
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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64
indented
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| adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版 | |
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65
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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66
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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67
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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68
butting
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| 用头撞人（犯规动作） | |
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69
spines
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| n.脊柱( spine的名词复数 )；脊椎；（动植物的）刺；书脊 | |
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70
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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71
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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72
snails
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| n.蜗牛；迟钝的人；蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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73
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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