792 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



as soon as they are free they are used in extricatiugthe anterior portion of the body. The entire 

 process requires a great amount of violent struggling and pulling, the claws occasioning the 

 greatest difficulty, from being so much larger near the tips than at the base. Their fleshy 

 portion, however, becomes somewhat soft and flabby so as to be easily extensible, and capable of 

 being compressed down to a smaller diameter. The basal joint, called the thimble by fishermen, 

 breaks lengthwise across the narrowest side, where a groove naturally exists, and the base of 

 the next succeeding joint splits in the same way. The remainder of this second joint, and the 

 following larger one, are compressed and flattened upon the upper or inner side, where the 

 shell is thinner than elsewhere, the thin area being oval in outline, distinctly marked oft from 

 the surrounding surface, and more or less marked with irregular, elongate, depressed lines. 

 Preparatory to shedding, this area, by the absorption of certain of its elements, becomes a thin, 

 soft, and extensible membrane, or may be entirely absorbed away. No other hinderances lie in 

 the way of the passage of the claws proper, which can be sufficiently compressed to work through 

 the next joint above them, although the latter remains hard and firm. 



The layer of skin which is to form the new shell begins to take on its distinctive character 

 before the old one is cast, but does not harden to any extent. In this state it assumes a dark- 

 green color and gives rise to the common fishermen's term of " Black Lobster," which is used to 

 designate the Shedders. As the hard shell is cast, the soft skin exposed presents a velvet-like 

 surface. The process of shedding goes on rapidly, as often happens iu lobster-cars where the 

 animals have been placed awaiting shipment to market. Lobsters which have had no marked 

 indications of shedding, when placed in the cars, have cast their coat within a day or two 

 afterwards. The hardening of the new shell also progresses rapidly. On many Lobsters the 

 newly forming shell can be seen inside of the old one, and more or less closely adhering to it. 

 It appears like a thin, semi-transparent, gelatinous lining of the old shell, and in some instances 

 can be readily peeled off from it. Soft-shell Lobsters are sometimes called "Callings," and those 

 in which the new shell has become slightly hardened are named "Paper-shells." 



Just before and after shedding, Lobsters remain quiet, almost dormant, and more or less 

 concealed under stones or among seaweeds. Statements diifer as to whether Lobsters seek 

 food while in the soft shell state. They are said to be captured iu the traps at times, often 

 in great numbers; but as the food ordinarily preferred by them, and especially the baitings 

 of the traps, require hard surfaces for their mastication, we do not know how to account for 

 their presence in such situations. It is well known that hard Lobsters which entered the traps 

 in that condition have shed therein, but in all such cases the cast skin should be preseut 

 when the traps are brought to the surface of the water. It is possible that soft Lobsters are 

 attracted into the traps by the smell of the bait, without the possibility of eating it. Most 

 of the soft-shell Lobster* handled, however, are captured before shedding. Very many are often 

 obtained in this way, but they are not considered good eating, as their flesh is described as 

 thin and watery. They are mostly used as bait, although it is stated that they are also sold to 

 the canneries. 



Soft-shell Lobsters arc more subject to dangers than the hard-shell, being helpless to protect 

 themselves. They are greedily devoured by many species of fish, especially the cod, and are 

 even said to be attacked by hard-shell individuals of their own species. When caught at this 

 time, even if returned at once to the water, the slight handling they receive is said to generally 

 kill them. Remaining, as they are supposed to, as much as possible out of harm's way, and 

 probably not feeding while iu the .soft state, the mortality is undoubtedly much less than as though 

 their habits continued the same. 



