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CRUSTACEOUS ANIMALS OF THE LOBSTER KIND. 



However different in figure the lobster and crab 

 may seem, their manners and conformation are nearly 

 the same; yet, with all the voracious appetites of 

 fishes, they are condemned to lead an insect-kind of 

 life at the bottom of the water. The lobster is an ani- 

 mal of so extrordinary a shape, that the head might 

 easily be mistaken for. the tail, which moves within it- 

 self, by joints, which resemble a coat of armour in 

 make. The two great claws serve a double purpose, 

 namely, as providers for its support, and as weapons 

 of defence; and, besides these powerful instruments, 

 which may be considered as arms, it has four legs on 

 each side, which assist it in making its sideling motion, 

 which the joints of the tail likewise aids. Between the 

 two claws appears the animal's little head, furnished 

 with eyes that resemble black specks of horn ; these it 

 has the power of advancing out of the socket, or draw- 

 ing them in, whenever it likes : the mouth, like that 

 of insects, opens the long way of the body, and is fur- 

 nished with a couple of teeth ; but, as these are not 

 sufficient for the mastication of its food, it has three 

 more in the stomach ; and between the upper teeth is 

 a lump of flesh in the shape of a tongue : on each 

 side of the head are two long feelers, or horns, that 

 seem to correct the dimness of its sight, and either ap- 

 prise the animal of danger, or point out to it the ap- 

 proach of prey. 



The spawn of the lobster is lodged under the tail ; 

 and when the young ones quit that receptacle, they 

 immediately take refuge in the smallest clefts of rocks, 

 where they remain, without appearing to take any. 



