ABOUT LOBSTERS 25 



The living together does not usually continue except 

 in captivity. 



The male at mating is almost always hard shelled. The 

 sperm has great vitality and endures for months, and pos- 

 sibly years. Female lobsters of all sizes from 8 inches up- 

 ward have been found with hard shell, and even with newly 

 laid eggs, with their receptacles full of sperm. 



The sperm remains in the female's body for at least 

 nine months, alive and vigorous until such time as she 

 spawns. To lay her eggs, the female turns on her back and 

 flexes her abdomen into a pocket. The eggs then flow from 

 her genital openings at the bases of the second pair of walk- 

 ing legs in a steady stream into the pocket, passing over 

 the sperm receptacle on the way. At this time the sperm 

 cells leave the receptacle and fertilize the eggs. In this trans- 





, 





• 



■ | 



^ 



Fig. 2. " Berried " or " seed " lobster 



fer the eggs are attached to the mother's swimmerets by a 

 natural adhesive, to remain throughout the period of incu- 

 bation. 



