C H^ ) 



OF SHELL FISH. 



THESE are divided by naturalifts into Cruftaceous and Teftaceous ; 

 both totally unlike fifties in appearance, without bones on the in- 

 fide, but having a fliell as an external covering. Cruftaceous fifli have a 

 fhell not quite of a ftony hardnefs, but in fome meafure capable of yield- 

 ing. Teftaceous fifties have a ftiell of a ftony hardnefs, brittle, and in- 

 capable of yielding. Of the cruftaceous kinds are the lobfter and the 

 crab : of the teftaceous, oyfters, mufcles, cockles, and fea fnails, in infi- 

 nite variety. 



The cruftaceous tribe feems placed between fifties, properly fo called, 

 and the fnail-like or teftaceous tribes. They have motion, and hunt 

 for food with great avidity, like the former j but are incapable of fwim- 

 ming, and creep along the bottom, like the latter. The chief of the 

 kind is the Lobfter; under which we rank the Prawn, Cray-Fifti, 

 Shrimp, Sea-Crab, Land-Crab, and their varieties. 



THE LOBSTER KIND. 



r'j^HE Lobfter and the Crab are in manners and conformation nearly 

 J^ the fame. Voracious like fifties, they lead an infeft life at the bottom 

 pf the water ; and are often obliged to wait till accident brings their prey. 

 They have neither red blood nor warmth in their bodies. Whatever they 

 feize on is fure to perifh, though never fo well defended ; they even de- 

 vour each other : and may, in fome meafure, be faid to eat themfelves ; 

 as they change their fliell and their ftomach every year, and their old 

 ftomach generally ferves to glut the new. 



Thofe who firft fee the Lobfter, are apt to miftake the head for the 

 tail. The animal moves with its claws foremoft. Thcfe arc his inftru- 

 ments of provifion and defence; thefc open like a pair of nippers, have 

 great ftrength, take firm hold, and are ufually notched, which increafes 

 their tenacity. The Lobfter has eight legs, four on each fide j thefe, 

 with the tail, give the animal its progrefllve and fideling motion. Be- 

 tween the two claws is the head, fmall j its eyes feem like two black 

 ^ horny 



