n smelling salts。
Beth said； 〃As far as I know； there's only one animal that smells of ammonia that way。 Architeuthis sanctipauli。〃
〃Which is？〃
〃One of the species of giant squid。〃
〃That's what attacked us？〃
〃I think so； yes。〃
She explained that little was known about the giant squid； because the only specimens studied were dead animals that ＇＇218＇＇ washed ashore； generally in a state of advanced decay； and reeking of ammonia。 For most of human history； the giant squid was considered a mythical sea monster； like the kraken。 But in 1861 the first reliable scientific reports appeared； after a French warship managed to haul in fragments of one dead animal。 And many killed whales which showed scars from giant suckers； testimony of undersea battles。 Whales were the only known predator of the giant squid…the only animals large enough to be predators。
〃By now；〃 Beth said； 〃giant squid have been observed in every major ocean of the world。 There are at least three distinct species。 The animals grow very large and can weigh a thousand pounds or more。 The head is about twenty feet long； with a crown of eight arms。 Each arm is about ten feet long； with long rows of suckers。 In the center of the crown is a mouth with a sharp beak； like a parrot's beak； except the jaws are seven inches long。〃
〃Levy's torn suit？〃
〃Yes。〃 She nodded。 〃The beak is mounted in a ring of muscle so it can twist in circles as it bites。 And the radula…the tongue of the squid…has a raspy； file…like surface。〃
〃Tina mentioned something about a leaf； a brown leaf。〃 〃The giant squid has two tentacles that extend out much further than the arms； as long as forty feet。 Each tentacle ends in a flattened 'manus' or 'palm；' which looks very much like a