214 CRUSTACEANS. 



four inches arid three quarters from the point of the rostrum to the 

 caudal fringe ; its large antennae and claws were of about equal length, or 

 the claws somewhat shorter. 



It is to be observed, that the curvature of the tail is never relaxed 

 during life ; and if a delineation, proposed for the extending animal, is 

 commenced while it lives, this must be completed after death, a general 

 rule, affected only by peculiar incidents. 



Females are full of spawn in April, which is exposed in the same ar- 

 rangement as in the common lobster ; now the tail is extended, for the 

 inner surface is lined with masses of spawn, adhering to the strong fleshy 

 bars connecting the two margins. The ovarium is of a very faint, dull, 

 greenish colour, sometimes appearing almost bluish. The ovum itself is 

 quite spherical, with a speckled shining integument ; at the period, of 

 which I now speak, the eyes of the included young are visible. 



The Norwegian Lobster, frequenting the Scotish seas, is commonly 

 taken unintentionally in the nets of fishermen. 



PLATE LVI. 



FIG. 1. Astacus Norveyicus. 



2. Spawn. 



3. Portion of spawn, enlarged. 



4. Three capsules, more enlarged. 



PLATE LVII. 



FIG. 5. Astacus Norvegicw, prolific female, under surface. 



PLATE LXX. 



FIG. 6. Astacus Norcegicus, upper portion, shewing the fringes ; the antennae 

 curtailed. 



7. Another specimen, shewing the fringes ; a, a, fringe ; b, b, curtailed 



antennae. 



8. Caudal extremity of the same. 



The Norwegian Lobster is called the Cray fish by the fishermen, 

 but none other is so denominated by them. 



