The octopus is a soft-bodied, eight-armed mollusc of the order Octopoda, with around 300 known species. Along with squids, cuttlefish and nautiloids, they are classed as cephalopods. The mouth with its hard beak is at the base of the arms, which trail behind the animal as it swims. A siphon is used both for respiration and for locomotion, by expelling a jet of water. Octopuses have a complex nervous system and excellent sight, and are among the most intelligent and behaviourally diverse of all invertebrates. They inhabit all parts of the ocean, from the intertidal zone and coral reefs to the abyssal depths. They can escape from predators by hiding in a cloud of ink, camouflaging themselves, or contorting their bodies to squeeze through narrow gaps. They are all venomous, but only the blue-ringed octopus is known to be deadly to humans. Octopus is sold as food around the world, especially in the Mediterranean and along the coasts of Asia.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1865:

Off the coast of Crescent City, California, U.S., the steamship Brother Jonathan struck an uncharted rock and sank, killing 225 people; its cargo of a large number of gold coins was not retrieved until 1996. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Jonathan_%28steamer%29

1930:

Uruguay defeated Argentina at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo to win the first Football World Cup. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930_FIFA_World_Cup

1981:

Amid widespread economic crisis and food shortages in Poland, up to 50,000 people, mostly women and children, took part in the largest of the hunger demonstrations in Łódź. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_1981_hunger_demonstrations_in_Poland

2014:

At least 151 people were killed when heavy rains triggered a landslide in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Malin_landslide

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

memory lane: (idiomatic, sometimes capitalized) A set of recollections available to be reviewed, especially accompanied by a feeling of nostalgia. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/memory_lane

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The great thing about art on any level is that it can speak to all people if it’s achieved properly. When I’ve heard a piece of music or seen a painting that moves me, it gives me something. That’s such an incredibly special experience. I have intentions as a writer, but people — when they’re listening to a track — will take from it what they interpret. Sometimes people mishear my lyrics and think a song’s about something it isn’t. That doesn’t matter. If it speaks to them and they get something positive from it, it’s great.   --Kate Bush https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kate_Bush