542 



Crustacea. 

 II. Crustacea. 



THE LOBSTER, (Astacus marinus,) 



HAS a cylindrical body, long antenna, and a broad tail. 

 Its large claws enable it to seize on its prey, to fix itself 

 on the small prominences of rocks in the sea, to resist 

 the motion of the waves, and to defend itself against its 

 enemies. When the Lobster wants to spring off the 

 rocks, it makes a fulcrum of its tail, which has the 

 action of a powerful spring. Its gait is awkward, as in 

 all the Crustacea. Besides its claws, it has four small 

 legs on each side, to assist it in its movements. Under 

 the tail the hen Lobster preserves her eggs till they are 

 hatched. They are extremely prolific. Dr. Baxter 

 says he counted twelve thousand four hundred and 

 forty-four eggs under the tail of a female Lobster, be- 

 sides those that remained in the body undeveloped. 

 Like the rest of their tribe, they cast their shells an- 

 nually, previous to which they appear languid and 

 restless : they acquire an entirely new covering in a 

 few days. 



