“An instance of this occurred a few years since. A Sardinian captain, bathing at Jerbah, felt one of his feet grasped by one of these animals; on this, with his other foot he tried to disengage himself, but this limb was immediately seized by another of the monster’s arms; he then endeavored to free himself with his hands, but these also were firmly grasped by the polypus, and the poor man was shortly after found drowned, with all his limbs strongly bound together by the arms and legs of the fish; and it is extraordinary, that where this happened the water is scarcely four feet in depth.” Other species of these surprising animals, as the _calamaries_, or “flying squid,” as they are termed by seamen, have the power of propelling themselves through the atmosphere. “There is good reason for believing,” says Mr. Owen, “that some of the small, slender-bodied subulate species of this genus are enabled to strike the water with such force as to raise themselves above the surface, and dart, like the flying-fish, for a short distance through the air.” We have seen very frequently, both in the North and South Pacifc, tens of thousands of these animals dart simultaneously out of the water when pursued by albicore or dolphins, and propel themselves, head first, in a horizontal direction, for eighty or a hundred yards, assisting their progression probably by a rotary or _screwing_ motion of their arms or tentacles, which they have the power of thus moving with singular velocity. This species also, as well as the large _onychotenthis_, we are led to believe, often serves the sperm whale for food. We have seen, on several occasions, very large limbs of the latter species of squid floating on the surface of the ocean, appearing as if bitten off by some animal, most probably by the sperm whale; for, when these remains have been seen, we always looked out most anxiously for those animals, and have seldom been disappointed in seeing them within a few hours afterward. [4] Naturalists’ Library, vol. vi, p. 162. [5] Philosophical Transactions, vol. lxxiii., p. 226. CHAPTER XX. Close of the first “Season” on Japan.—Making Passage to the Group.—“Land ho!”.—“Breathing-places for Sailors.”—Henderville’s Island.—Unpleasant Prospect.—Narrow Escape from the Breakers.—A large Whale.—An ugly Customer.—Ocean Island Dick.—Ocean Island.—“Some Pumpkins.”—Bound for Strong’s Island.—Calms.—“Blow, ye gentle Breezes.”—At our “Hotel” once more.—Hospitality of the Natives.—A diabolical Scheme.—Anger of the King.—Narrow Escape of all Hands from Poisoning.—Wilds and the Queen.—A sudden Awakening.—Wild Boar.—Join in the Chase.—Brave Men.—The Boar presented in great State to the King.—Bravery of the “White Man.”—“Hog not Dog.”—At sea again.