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.

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