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1 Cuvier says, that this is only a reproduction, under another name, and with other details, of the story of the nautilus or argonauta; but under the impression that the polyp is not the animal which owns the shell, but is only its associate. It has also been asserted in modern times, he says, that the polyp has seized this shell by force from some other animal, in order to convert it into its boat; but the opinion has not been adopted, as the shell of the nautilus has been never found in the possession of any other animal.
2 Probably borrowed from the Greeks, who called it ἄκατος. It is supposed to have been a small boat, similar to the Roman "scapha;" like our "skiff" probably.
3 The "rostrum" of the ancient ships of war.
4 "Palmulis." This word also means the blade or broad part of an oar; in which sense it may, perhaps, be here taken.
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