290 ANIMAL SKETCHES. CHAP 



side are two pairs of plates also fringed. These plates can 

 be spread out so as to form with the middle plate a broad 

 tail-flap. The tail is carried curved downwards when the 

 animal is at rest. But if you lift him out of the water, 

 holding him with your finger and thumb near the middle 

 pair of legs so that he may not reach your fingers with 

 his pincers, he will tuck his tail under his body, and 

 perhaps begin to flap vigorously. And when you restore 

 him to the water he will probably dart backwards across 

 the basin by vigorous flaps of his tail. 



You will perhaps wonder how an animal with a close 

 covering of plate-armour can grow. And indeed the 

 crayfish is unable to grow with his armour on. He there- 

 fore once a year, or more frequently in early life, throws 

 off his suit of armour and makes for himself a new one. 

 It must be a dreadful business. I have never been 

 fortunate enough to see him do it. But I came upon one 

 once when he had just finished. There was his old suit of 

 armour empty by his side, with cracks down the back and 

 legs, but otherwise perfect. He was helplessly exhausted 

 and I thought he would die. He recovered however. But 

 next day he was dreadfully timid. Like Bob Acres he 

 somehow didn't feel so bold as he did before. The skin 

 was soft. Now is the opportunity for growth. In a day 

 or two the new armour will have been formed and will be 

 hard and dense. And then he must give up all idea of 

 growing till next year. He's bold enough in his new 

 armour. And I think he may be excused for being a 

 little timid when he has only just jumped out of his skin. 



If you keep a crayfish for any length of time * you must 

 give him something to eat. Sopped bread will probably 

 tempt him, and he will perhaps take a worm or a piece of 



1 It is best then to keep crayfishes in a pan with only about half an 

 inch of water in the bottom. 



