960 DIVISION IU. ARTICULATED ANIMALS.— CLASS II. CRUSTACEA. 
| Asracus. — This genus is distinguished by having the lateral plates of the 
- swimmerets broad and rounded at the extremity. The two filaments of the 
intermediate antenne are longer than their peduncles. 
A. Marinus. —The Lobster. This valuable crustacean, which is cele- 
brated everywhere for the delicacy of its flesh, is, in this country, an article | 
of extensive trade. Many millions are taken annually along our coasts, and 
distributed by railroad, packed in ice, through all the States. Like the 
| edible crab, it is taken in pots, baskets, or nets. | | 
The lobster breeds in the summer months, depositing many thousands of | 
egos in the sand, and leaving them there to be hatched by the sun. But | | 
| few, as may easily be imagined, live to attain a size befitting them to appear 
| in red livery on our tables. Like all crustaceans, the lobster casts its shell 
| annually, and with such perfection, that the discarded garment, with all its 
feet and feelers, perfectly resembles the living animal. The process is 
curious cnough to deserve a few lines of description. When, towards 
autumn, the time of casting the shell approaches, the lobster retires to a 
silent nook, like a pious hermit to his cell, and fasts several days. The 
shell thus detaches itself gradually from the emaciated body, and a new and 
tender cuticle forms underneath. 
The old dress seems now, however, to plague the lobster very much, to 
judge by the efforts he makes to sever all remaining connection with it. | 
Soon the harness splits right through the back, like the cleft bark of a tree, 
| or a ripe seed-husk, and opens a wide gate to liberty. After much tugging 
and wriggling, the legs, tail, and claws gradually follow the body. The 
claws give the lobster most trouble; but he is well aware that perseverance 
generally wins the day, and never ceases till the elastic mass, which can be 
drawn out like india-rubber, and instantly resumes its ordinary shape, has 
been forced through the narrow passage. It can easily be supposed that, 
_ after such a violent struggle for freedom, the lobster is not a little exhausted. 
Feeling his weakness, and the very insufficient protection afforded him by 
his soft covering, he bashfully retires from all society until his hardened 
case allows him to mix again with his friends on terms of equality, for he 
well knows how inclined they are to bite and devour a softer brother. 
In the seventh and last order of the class Crustacea is placed a curious 
croup of animals forming the genus 
| Limvutus. — King Crabs, or Crabs of the Moluccas. These animals have 
twenty-four legs; the ten anterior, with the exception of the two anterior 
in the mules, are terminated by a two-fingered claw, and inserted, as well 
as the two following, beneath a large semilunar shield; the Jatter are in the | 
| form of large leaves, as well as the ten following, which are branchial, and | 
| annexed to the under side of a second, which is terminated by a horny, | 
| 
| 
