[ i" ] 



THE LOBSTER*. 



Lobsters are found on most of the rocky coasts of 

 Great Britain. Some are caught with the hand, 

 but the greater quantity in pots ■, a sort of trap form- 

 ed of twigs, and baited with garbage. These are 

 formed like a wire mouse-trap, so that when the 

 lobster gets in there is no return. They are fasten- 

 ed to a cord sunk into the sea, and their place 

 is marked by a buoy. 



These animals are extremely prolific ; Dr. Baster 

 says he counted 12,444 eggs under the tail of a 

 female lobster, besides those that remained in the 

 body unprotruded. They deposit these eggs in 

 the sand, where they are soon hatched. 



Like the rest of their tribe, they annually cast 

 their shells. Previously to their putting off the old 

 one, they appear sick, languid, and restless. They 

 acquire an entirely new covering in a few days; 

 but during the time that they remain defenceless 

 they seek some lonely place, lest they should be 

 attacked and devoured by such of their brethren as 

 are not in the same weak situation. 



At the same time that they cast their shell they 

 change also their stomach and intestines. The 

 animal, while it is moulting, is said to feed upon its 

 former stomach, which wastes by degrees, and is at 

 length replaced with a new one. 



* Cancer Ganimarus. Linn, 



