in zoology, a genus belonging to the order of vermes mollusca. There are eight brachia interspersed on the interior side, with little, round, serrated cups, by the contraction of which the animal lays fast hold of anything: Besides these eight arms, it has two tentacula longer than the arms, and frequently pelunulated. The mouth is situate in the centre of the arms; and is horny and hooked, like the bill of a hawk. The eyes are below the tentacula, towards the body of the animal. The body is fleshy, and received into a sheath as far as the breast. There are five species. The officinalis, or cuttle-fish, emits a black matter when attacked, which hides it from the view of the enemy. The oligo, has a subellated cylindrical body, with a rhomboidal tail. It is sometimes found on the coasts of the frith of Forth, especially after great storms. The other species are mostly found in the Mediterranean sea.