PROCESS OF SHEDDING. 793 



The length of time required for the hardening of the new shell has never been recorded from 

 observation. The fishermen's statements regarding it disagree, but the hardening goes on 

 probably more rapidly in warm weather than in cold, as iu the case of the edible Crab. A careful 

 observer at Wood's Holl, Massachusetts, says that the shell becomes quite firm iu the course of 

 tweuty-four hours. After three or four days it is supposed to be hard enough to enable the 

 Lobster to go in search of food, but the hardening probably continues and the shell increases in 

 thickness, even though it be very gradually, until the next shedding period. 



A short time before shedding, the Lobster is said to be very full of meat and in the best 

 possible condition for eatiug. This would seem to result naturally from the increased quantity of 

 flesh which must accumulate within the shell preparatory to the Lobster's assuming a larger si/.e. 

 While shedding, but more especially while iu the soft state, after the Lobster has expanded to 

 its new size, the flesh is considered by most people as unpalatable, although it is probably as 

 harmless then as at any time. The fishermen abhor soft Lobsters as a rule, and would not eat 

 them under any circumstances, but customers are occasionally found. One fisherman correspond- 

 ent very aptly expressed his dislike for them in the following terms: "They are sometimes eaten 

 by aristocrats, but never by MS." It seems very strange that soft Lobsters should be so unfavor- 

 ably regarded, when we consider that the edible Crab is in its best condition just after shedding. 



The female Lobster probably casts its shell soon after its spawn is hatched. The eggs are 

 attached so firmly to the swiinmerets that they remain hanging to them even after the young have 

 gone forth, aud there is no other way of getting rid of this great encumbrance to the abdomen 

 than by shedding. This occurrence has been frequently observed in other species of Crustacea, 

 and probably happens in the case of the Lobster. In fact, we have numerous recorded instances 

 of female Lobsters bearing spawn nearly ready to hatch, aud with the new shell in process of 

 formation. It is the common belief of lobstermen that Lobsters which have lost a claw, or been 

 seriously maimed iu any way, do not shed until after the injury has been repaired. 



Prof. G. O. Sars describes the process of shedding with the European Lobster, Homarus vul- 

 garis, as follows : 



" The process of changing its skin is very tedious and dangerous for the Lobster, which may 

 be imagined when it is known that not only the outer shell is changed, but even some of the 

 inner parts, e.g., the stomach-bag. The process occupies considerable time, and while it is going 

 on the Lobster is sick and utterly unable to escape from its enemies or to defend itself against 

 them. It is therefore but natural that under such circumstances it very easily dies in the traps. 

 Even after the change of shell is over the Lobster remains weak for some time. It therefore 

 hides among the stones at the bottom of the sea, and remains there until the new shell has become 

 sufficiently hard aud its strength has returned. 



" The. earliest changing of shell which I observed during my journey was in the first part of 

 July, near Tanauger. I here had an opportunity of observing a Lobster engaged iu this process. 

 It had. just been taken out of a lobster-box, and could be handled without offering the least resist- 

 ance. The shell on the back was burst i'i the middle, aud the tail and the feet were nearly all out 

 of the old shell, while the largest claw only stuck out half its length. This latter portion of the 

 change of shell is evidently very dangerous, aud, although I observed it for quite a while, I could 

 see little or no progress. It is certainly a painful and dangerous process, and probably many a 

 Lobster loses its life at such times. Immediately after casting its shell the Lobster is lean aiid 

 miserable, and only obtains its proper condition after the lapse of considerable time. According 

 to my observations, the change of shell takes place chiefly during the month of July. It certainly 

 happens that some change later, but by far the larger number appear to shed during that mouth." 



