Sublime

The body of an octopus is remarkable enough. The common octopus, O. vulgaris, has eight armlike appendages, three hearts pumping blue blood, an ink-based defense mechanism, and highly developed jet propulsion. An octopus can change size, shape, texture, and color at will, and all at the same time if necessary.

CALAMAR BRAISÉ AU VIN ROUGE Braised Squid in Red Wine This is a hearty dish that has bags of flavour, but is low in fat, and never fails to impress. Squid should be cooked briefly over a high heat, or for a long time over a low heat until tender, as in this recipe. Serve with boiled potatoes or some Camargue red rice (see here) to soak up the delic

An animal that can change itself to match its surroundings, just by contracting its skin? That can weigh as many stone as a man and stretch the length of a carriage, and yet fold its body through a crevice? Whose brain is wrapped about its throat—a brain no larger than a pea—but who is clever enough to play actual games? An animal with this much in

Architeuthis lives in the aphotic zone: what purpose would the spray of dark sepia serve in a world without light? It was there for other reasons. We just would not get the hint, not for millennia. We didn’t invent ink: ink was waiting for us, aeons before writing. In the sacs of the deepwater god.