MACBOUBI. 



I am not aware that tin- Freeh water Cray-fish is naturally an in- 

 hahitunt of Scotland ; but a brood was introduced, thirty-five t>r f<>rt\ 

 yean ago from England, by the proprietor of New Posso, in the count v 

 it' IVdiK-s, which, togetluT with the progeny, has been extiqwted for at 

 least tw -nty-five or thirty yean. 



It is from the ova of the cray-fish that a learned naturalist, I (.it like, 

 hat h demonstrated the progreesive development of the embryo. Ami' 1- 1 

 many attempt* to accomplish the like from a number of the other cru- 

 hWlfcn*. 1 \;.^>- l-e.-ii ni:ilMniil\ in:- .. . .--lui. It i- tni' ili;it i!;- L'-IM i.tl 

 t'orin and position 'of the subject included is sufficiently exposed, hut the 

 integuments are never refined enough to shew the regularity, the true 

 arrangement, or modification of the metamorphosing parts. 



The genuine cray-fish is said to dwell chiefly in muddy streams, 

 whereof, from the mountainous nature of the country, we have very few 

 in Scotland. 



2. ASTACUS KARINUS The Common Lobster. Plate LVIII. LIX. 



tnimal is more familiar than the Common Lobster: its form and 

 habits, together with the wounds it is prone to inflict on unguarded cu- 

 riosity, are sufficient to imprint its recollection on the memory. At the 

 same time, there is scarcely any other of its kind whose history is lew 

 known. 



It is everywhere sought as an epicurean delicacy, and sometimes 

 purchased for high and unreasonable prices. Besides, from the absolute 

 alteration of colour under culinary operations, the animal is viewed as 

 a curiosity. 



The Lobster attains considerable dimensions in Scotland ; and, 

 where it can escape the wonted persecutions of mankind it certainly 

 lives many years. 



In the middle of December, I procured a fine specimen of a living 

 female, laden with a profusion of roe. It extended twenty-two inches 

 in length, from the tips of the antenna- to the caudal fringe. Of this, 

 the carapace or body-segment, which is the criterion of dimensions in a 



