in the study of squid in local waters.

Mr. James Coulter, 18, of St. David's, found the dead squid on the rocks close to St. David's Primary School.

And the four-foot long Thysano Teuthis rhombus, or Rhombic Squid, is the first complete specimen of its kind to be found in Bermuda.

Aquarium curator Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer said it remains a mystery how the squid was on the rocks.

But Dr. Sterrer's theories are that it was either washed ashore by a high tide or it "flew,'' an idea which would have been ridiculed until a few years ago.

He said: "It is in very good shape. I have no idea how old it is because they tend to grow very quickly because of their voracious appetite.

"They tend not to come in too close to land because they can collide with things. We found one last year but it was not this complete.

"It could have been taken by surprise by a strong tide and been washed ashore. There are signs that it tried to get off the rocks.'' The squid clearly has a blow hole which helps with propulsion and "wings'' which, if it blew itself out of the water, could keep it in the air for some feet, according to Dr. Sterrer.

He said: "This might explain how it got onto the rocks. It could have flown there.'' The squid will now be pickled and will then be studied by scientists, before it becomes an exhibit at the Aquarium's museum, ending the monopoly held by the plastic model, which is around the same size.

Dr. Sterrer said: "They are regularly fished in Japanese waters where they are a delicacy, but there is a lot of mystery about the squid. We need to know more about their biology.'' Mr. Coulter, studying art and science at Bermuda College, was looking for bottles for his collection when he spotted the squid.

He immediately called the Aquarium and it was taken there and frozen. It is believed to have been dead for just over a day. Mr. Coulter said it smelled foul when he found it.

FLYING SQUID -- Mr. James Coulter and Dr. Wolfgang Sterrer with the squid found in St. David's.