Arbigny also remarks that “there are immense tracts off the coast of Brazil filled with small creatures so numerous as to impart a red color to the sea.” “Statements of this sort,” observes Sir William, “could easily be multiplied; and hence we can not but suppose that this kind of food, which is ascertained to afford such rich nourishment to the other great _cetacea_, may very possibly be appropriated by the sperm whale to the same purpose.” This is an unaccountable error on the part of the compiler of the _Naturalists’ Library_. The apparent banks above mentioned, and which we have ourselves frequently seen in various parts of the ocean, are certainly formed by myriads of _medusæ_ and other small animals, which form the sustenance of the _Balæna mysticetus_, or right whale’s food, which consists of animals of the shrimp kind, and other minute creatures, which are closely congregated and swarm in those animated “banks,” but of which the sperm whale never partakes; as it is not “very possible,” but quite impossible that he could do so, however inclined he might be, on account of the organization of his feeding apparatus, which may be readily seen when its form is referred to. The _Sepia octopus_, or “sea squid,” sometimes reaches an enormous size. In the _Philosophical Transactions for 1758_ (777), after having given an interesting description of a specimen sent for examination, the editor states that “it can, by spreading its arms abroad like a net, so fetter and entangle the prey they inclose when they are drawn together as to render it incapable of exerting its strength; for, however feeble these branches or arms may be singly, their power united becomes surprising; and we are assured Nature is so kind to these animals that if, in a struggle, any of their arms are broken off, after some time they will grow again. It is evident,” he continues, “from what has been said, that the sea polypus or _octopus_ must be terrible to the inhabitants of the waters in proportion to its size, for the close embraces of its arms and adhesion of its suckers must render the efforts of its prey ineffectual either for resistance or escape, unless it be endowed with an extraordinary degree of strength.” A gigantic _Cephalopoda_ was discovered by Drs. Bank and Solander, in Captain Cook’s first voyage, floating dead upon the sea, surrounded by birds, who were feeding on its remains. From the parts of this specimen which are still preserved in the Hunterian Collection, and which have always excited the attention of naturalists, it must have measured at least six feet from the end of the tail to the end of the tentacles.