World’s First Cephalopod Atlas

Carl Chun led a deep-sea expedition in 1898 that led to findings that contradicted the belief that life could not exist below 300 fathoms. The German marine biologist along with his team emerged from the expedition with writings and proof of creatures that were strange and otherworldly during his time. After his expedition, he showcased his findings through the 1910 treasure Cephalopod Atlas. The atlas showed vivid illustrations by Friedrich Wilhelm Winter, as Brain Pickings detailed: 

Among Winter’s stunning, sensual illustrations — which I have restored and made available as prints, benefiting Greenpeace and their inspired endeavor to protect the increasingly human-savaged habitats of these living wonders — is one of a creature Chun was the first to describe: a small, black cephalopod with branchial hearts and a light gonad that appears to shine just above its stomach. He named it Vampyroteuthis infernalis, “vampire squid from hell.”

image via Brain Pickings