ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY P.ULLETIX 



91 



which sjircads over 12 feet. These spider 

 crabs have interesting liabits. Tlicy tear off 

 pieces of sea-weed, hydroids, etc., and fasten 

 them upon their backs, where the weeds soon 

 anchor and prow, concealing' the crab un- 

 der a veritable marine garden. 



Several species of hermit crabs abound 

 along our coasts. The head parts and the 

 legs of these crabs are protected by a tough 

 horny covering, but the abdomen is soft and 

 is never exposed to the attacks of enemies, 

 for when verv voung the crab seeks out some 



very young the l)arnaclc swims rapidly 

 ihrough the water, having six pairs of legs 

 and well-developed eyes. Very soon, how- 

 ever, it fastens itself to the side of some rock 

 or wharf by means of the sucker-like antcn- 

 nx. The shell then grows, and it remains 

 throughout life lying upon its back, and, as 

 Huxley aptly put it, "kicking its food into its 

 mouth." 



.Specimens of the American lobster (Hoiiia- 

 nis aincricaiiiis) may often be seen at the 

 .\(|uariunt. ( )ur lobster fisheries are still of 





WHriF. SK.\ .ANEMONE. 



deserted shell, into which it thrusts its soft 

 flexible abdomen, and which then serves as 

 its house, which it carries about on all occa- 

 sions. 



As the crab grows it occupies larger and 

 larger shells, until even our largest mollusk- 

 shells are none too large for it. These crabs 

 will, however, occupy old bottles and clay 

 pipes as well as shells. \\'hen very young 

 they swim through the water, and are then 

 totally unlike the "hermit" in appearance, 

 for a long saw-toothed spine several times 

 longer than the body of the little creature 

 projects forward from its head. Few of us 

 think of the barnacles as being relatives of 

 the shrimps, yet such is the case, for when 



great value, although the persecution to 

 which this valuable food animal is subjected 

 is causing it to decrease rapidly, both in size 

 and numbers, so that unless legislation in- 

 terferes the lobster will become almost ex- 

 tinct. In former years large lobsters were 

 abundant, and individuals have been found 

 measuring 42 inches in length and weighing 

 42 pounds. Such monsters are now almost 

 unheard of. It is believed that the work of 

 artificial propagation of the lobster, now be- 

 ing carried on by the Government, will re- 

 sult in saving the species, and the eggs of the 

 lobster will be among those exhibited at the 

 Aquarium fish-hatchery during the coming 

 summer. 



