THE JOINTED-FOOT ANIMALS 



159 



antenna. It is regenerated in two or three molts after the 

 accident. The crayfish and many other animals have the 

 same power. 



The female lobster lays her eggs usually during the sum- 

 mer months. The eggs remain attached to the swimmerets 

 until the next spring, when the embryos hatch. The larval 

 lobster (Fig. 86) immediately floats 

 to the surface, and for several weeks 

 swims about there. Its length at first 

 is about eight millimeters (one third 

 of an inch). In general appearance it 

 slightly resembles the adult lobster. 

 The large thoracic appendages are not 

 leg-like but are two-branched, and the 

 abdomen has no appendages. After 

 the sixth molt the lobster is about 

 two thirds of an inch long. The outer 

 branches of the legs have disappeared 

 and the young lobster has gained ab- 

 dominal appendages. It is now nearly 

 like the adult in all respects. At 

 about this time the young leaves the 

 surface, goes to the bottom, and makes 

 its way to well-protected places near 

 the shore. 



The commercial value of the lobster is very great. As an 

 article of human food it is fast becoming a luxury. Lobsters 

 rank next to codfish in importance in the New England 

 fisheries. In 1924 close to ten million pounds were marketed 

 with a value of over three million dollars. Most of the lob- 

 sters for market are caught in traps commonly called lobster 

 pots. Bait is placed inside the trap, and when the lobster 

 crawls through a small opening in the funnel-shaped en- 

 trance it is unable to discover the exit. 



Fig. 86. First larval stage 

 of American lobster. (x7) 



After Herrick 



