THE LOBSTER KIND, 241 



horny fpecks on each fide ; thefe it can advance out of the focket, or 

 withdraw, at pleafure. The mouth opens the long way of the body ; 

 has two teeth for the comminution of its food •, three more are in the 

 ftomach, one on each fide, the other below. Becween the two teeth is a 

 fiefhy fubftance, in the fhape of a tongue. The inteftines are one long 

 bowel, from the mouth to the vent ; but this animal is fmgular in hav- 

 ing the fpinal marrow in the bread bone. Two long feelers or horns iflue 

 on each fide the head, as if to apprize the animal of danger, or prey. The 

 tail is the grand inftrument of motion j and with this it can raife itfeif in 

 the water. Under this is lodged the fpawn in great abundance : every 

 pea adhering to the next by a very fine filament. Lobfters are fuppofed to 

 be felf-impregnated 1 The ovary, or place where the fpawn is firft pro- 

 duced, is toward the tail> where a red fubftance is found, which is a cluf- 

 terofpeas, too fmall for cxclufion. From this receptacle go two canals, 

 that open on each fide at the jointures of the fhell, at the belly ; through 

 thefe paffages the peas defccnd to be excluded, and placed under the tail, 

 where the animal preferves them from danger for lome time, till they 

 come to maturity ; when, being furniflied with limbs and motio>i, they 

 drop oflf into the water. 



When the young Lobfters leave the parent, they feek refuge in the 

 fmalleft clefts of rocks, and crevices at the bottom of the fea. They 

 grow larger in a few weeks, from the accidental fubftances which the wa- 

 ter wafhes to their retreats. They alio acquire a hard, firm fhell, or 

 armour. They then quit their fortrefles, and creep along the bottom, 

 in hope^ of plunder. Fifti fpawn, fmaller of their own kind, but chiefly 

 worms at the bottom of the fea, fupply them with plenty. 



But the body of the Lobfter incrcafing, while the (hell remains the 

 fame, it becomes imprifoned within its ftiell. Young Lobfters change 

 their fhell oftener than the old, who remain in the fame ihell fometimcs 

 two years together ; but ufually all change their fliell yearly, generally 

 at the beginning of fummer, when food is in plenty, and their vigour in 

 perfection : foon their activity ceafes j they forfake the open parts of the 

 deep, feeking retired fituations among the rocks or outlets, where they 

 may remain in fafety. Some days before the change, the animal difconti- 

 nues its ufual voracioufnefsj is no longer feen harrowing up the farid at the 

 bottom, or fighting, or hunting, but torpid and motionlefs. Juft before 

 cafting its fhell, it throws itfeif on its back, ftrikes its claws againft each 

 other, and every limb fcem.s to tremble; its feelers are agitated, and the 

 whole body iti violent motion : it then fwells in an unafual manner; at 



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