Napuljski zaljev

Polly je stigla iznad Napuljskog zaljeva kasno ujutro. Voda je bila boje zelenog stakla. S druge strane zaljeva, djelomično skriven maglom, nalazio se Vezuv. Zrak je mirisao na sol i dizel s ribarskih brodova.

Polly came in over the Bay of Naples in late morning. The water was the colour of green glass. Mount Vesuvius sat on the far side of the bay, partly hidden by haze. The air smelled of salt and diesel from fishing boats.

Slijedila je obalu. Vidjela je rublje kako visi s balkona i skutere na ulicama.

She followed the shoreline. She could see laundry hanging from balconies and scooters in the streets.

Njezino odredište bila je stara zgrada uz vodu. Mala mesingana pločica nosila je natpis STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN, FONDATA 1872.

Her destination was an old building on the water. A small brass plaque read STAZIONE ZOOLOGICA ANTON DOHRN, FONDATA 1872.

Polly je znala za ovo mjesto. Osnovao ga je njemački zoolog po imenu Anton Dohrn. Napuljski zaljev jedan je od najbogatijih morskih ekosustava u Europi. Institut proučava hobotnice od 1873. godine. To je najstariji institut za morsku biologiju koji još uvijek radi u svijetu.

Polly knew about this place. It had been founded by a German zoologist named Anton Dohrn. The Bay of Naples is one of the richest sea ecosystems in Europe. The institute has been studying octopuses since 1873. It is the oldest marine biology institute still working in the world.

Sjela je na ogradu. Mladi istraživač u tamnoplavom laboratorijskom kaputu otključao je stražnja vrata. Vidjela je Polly i nasmiješila se. "Uđi."

She perched on the railing. A young researcher in a navy lab coat unlocked the back door. She saw Polly and smiled. "Come on in."

Zgrada je mirisala na morsku vodu. Dugi hodnici protezali su se između soba punih akvarija. Kroz staklene zidove, Polly je vidjela srdele, malu hobotnicu u kutu i morskog zeca na listu algi.

The building smelled of seawater. Long corridors ran between rooms full of tanks. Through the glass walls, Polly saw sardines, a small octopus in a corner, and a sea hare on a kelp blade.

Istraživačica se zvala Chiara Bianchi. Proučavala je kogniciju glavonožaca devet godina. "Hobotnice su najpametnije životinje ovdje," rekla je. "Ili barem najpametnije za koje smo sigurni da su svjesne."

The researcher's name was Chiara Bianchi. She had been studying cephalopod cognition for nine years. "The octopuses are the smartest animals here," she said. "Or at least the smartest ones we are sure are conscious."

Došle su do visokog okruglog akvarija. Kartica sa strane nosila je natpis PASTA, 2.3KG, GPO. Unutra, smotana u zavoj plastične cijevi, bila je divovska pacifička hobotnica. Osam krakova uredno je bilo omotano oko nje. Jedno zlatno oko gledalo je kroz staklo.

They came to a tall round tank. A card on the side read PASTA, 2.3KG, GPO. Inside, folded into a coil of plastic pipe, was a giant Pacific octopus. Eight arms wrapped tidily around itself. One golden eye watched through the glass.

Chiara je spustila svoju kavu. "Pasta," rekla je, "upoznaj Polly."

Chiara set her coffee down. "Pasta," she said, "meet Polly."

Hobotnica se nije pomaknula. Ali njezino oko ostalo je na Polly.

The octopus did not move. But its eye stayed on Polly.

"Možeš sjesti na rub," rekla je Chiara. "Neće te poprskati. Ujutro je mirna. Poslijepodne postaje pametnija."

"You can perch on the rim," Chiara said. "She will not splash you. She is calm in the mornings. She gets clever in the afternoons."