JI4 THE CRAW-FISH 1 . 



of Northumberland that, about the year 1769, the 

 sum paid for the annual exports from Newbiggin 

 and Newton by the sea (exclusive of those from' 

 Holy Island, which produce annually a very consi- 

 derable sum) amounted to near £1500. This cir- 

 cumstance was stated by John Creswell, Esq. of 

 Creswell, who for many years had made the pay- 

 ments for them from one fishmonger in London, 

 on whose account all the most valuable fish from 

 the coast of Northumberland were shipped*. 



THE CRAW-FISH f. 



In the breaking of the claw of the common Craw- 

 fish, it has been observed that, in about a day or 

 two after the piece is cast off, a red membrane, not 

 unlike a bit of red cloth, closes up the aperture. This 

 is at first plain ; but, m the course of four or five 

 days, it assumes a convexity, which gradually aug- 

 ments till it takes the appearance of a small cone, 

 of about a line in height. It continues, however, 

 to stretch out, and, in ten days, it is sometimes 

 more than three lines, or about a quarter of an inch 

 high. It is not hollow, but filled with flesh, and 

 this flesh is the basis or rudiment of a new claw. 

 The membrane that covers the flesh performs the 

 same office to the young claw as the membranes do 

 to the foetus of the larger animals. It extends in 

 proportion as the animal grows ; and, as it is tole- 

 rably thick, we can perceive nothing but a length • 



* Walli^i. 392. + Cancer astacus. Linn. 



