784 CRUSTACEA— LOBSTER. 



of the old shell being compared with those of the new, it will be found that 

 the creature is increased above a third in its size ; and, like a boy that has 

 outgrown his clothes, it seems wonderful how the deserted shell was able to 

 contain so great an animal as entirely fills up the new. 



The creature thus furnished, not only with a complete covering, but also 

 a greater share of strength and courage, ventures more boldly among the 

 animals at the bottom ; and not a week passes that in its combats it does not 

 suffer some mutilation. A joint, or even a whole claw, is sometimes snap- 

 ped off in these encounters. At certain seasons of the year, these animals 

 never meet each other without an engagement. In these, to come off with 

 the loss of a leg, or even a claw, is considered as no great calamity ; the 

 victor carries off the spoil to feast upon at his leisure, while the other retires 

 from the defeat to wait for a thorough repair. This repair it is not long in 

 procuring. From the place where the joint of the claw was cuj away, is 

 seen in a most surprising manner to bourgeon out the beginning of a new 

 claw. This, if observed, at first, is small and tender, but grows in the space 

 of three Aveeks, to be almost as large and as powerful as the old one. We say 

 almost as large, for it never arrives to the full size ; and this is the reason 

 we generally find the claws of lobsters of unequal magnitude. 



Of this extraordinary, yet well-known animal, there are many varieties, 

 with some differences in the claws, but little in the habits or conformation. It 

 is found above three feet long ; and, if we may admit the shrimp and the 

 prawn into the class, though unfurnished with claAvs, it is seen not above an 

 inch. These all live in the water, and can bear its absence but for a few 

 hours. The shell is black when taken out of the water, but turns red by boil- 

 ing. The most common way of taking the lobster is in a basket, or pot, as the 

 fishermen call it, made of wicker work, in which they put the bait, and 

 then throw it to the bottom of the sea, in six or ten fathom water. The 

 lobsters creep into this for the sake of the bait, but are not able to get out 

 again. 



