The Devil Fish as a Delicacy.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1921, Page 1

The Devil Fish as a Delicacy.

(By 1.. R. Bright v-11. F.Z.S.) Tradition having been duly upheld, and the usual inniie rumours anent the octopus freely circulated on most parts of the coast, a few facts may perhaps lie not altogether unwelcome. The writer, alter a fairly close acquaintance with the octopus, can at. least, claim one virtue for that ogre of the deep. Skinned and well cooked, the snow-white llesh of the “devil fish can tie very good eating

Hugo quantities are eaten annually mi all parts of the Mediterranean coast while in tip. Channel Islands the “poulpe” is not only eaten but prized as the king of fertilisers. Tim "catch” is made in a number of ways. When abundant the octopus are simply “hooked” out of the sen, or dragged from rock crannies at low tide. Unless in deep water, anyone may safely tackle ail octopus spanning Bft. across the arms the average size iu these islands

The octopus usually gives a elm? to his whereabouts by leaving an untidy kitchen midden of crab and lobster shells outside his retreat.

Crustacea, of all kinds are his chief fund. Occasionally he may fling himself upon his prey as shown in most sensational pictures hut. mure often lie relies on subtler tactics. TT is habit is to lie concealed ill some deep crevice and on sighting a crab, gently touch the same with the tip of one long arm, which he “unrolls” ns it might he a yard of calico. The effect is startling. He would seem to exercise over the crab the same dread power as a snake may over a bird or rat. The crab is apparently paralysed, and with claws upraised and legs stiffly spread. is drawn towards the ogre’s den

IT hungry, the octopus at once “dismembers the crab, abstracts the flesh with the tips of Iris arms and passes it in mouthfuls to bis hoiny parrot beak. Mor e often, liowciei he will catch ten or even twenty crabs and store them amid his coils—to dine upon them later as his appetite shall prompt. The octopus has the power of changing colour more highly developed than

any other animal. TTo could accommodate himself to the vivid background of a tartan plaid without a tremor. Indeed, this is his main line of defence, lie clings tneelinnirnlly with Ids tunny suckers to whatever he may touch, tint a tight grip upon the slight const ruction bet ween his head and little round body invariably causes linn to relax bis hold. To see tho impunity with which any Ei’,’neli fisher girl will handle an octopus might dispel the fears of the most nervous' hatlier that eve,- mistook an overgrown jelly fisli for the eight-armed terror of the deep.