NATURAI, HISTORY OF AMERICAN LOBSTER. 

 THE FIRST LARVA. 



329 



[PL xxviu and text fig. 34.] 



When the lobster has successfully escaped from the egg capsule and shaken itself 

 free from its cuticle, it emerges as a free-swimming animal and eventually rises to the 

 surface, where it remains rising and sinking, but probably never far removed from the 

 actual surface untU its pelagic life is over. 



Fig. 34. — Fiist larva, or first swimming stage of the lobster in profile. For drawing colored to life, see plate xxvm; 

 for natural swimming liold page sidewise with head of animal down, and compare figure 40 of text. Length 

 about S mm., or a httle less than Yi inch. 



The animal is but httle over a third of an inch long. The body is segmented as in the 

 adult form, the most striking characteristics being the enormous eyes, the conspicuous 

 rostral spine, which projects like a sharp spear in front, the triangular telson, and the 

 biramous swimming legs, which, from their resemblance to the permanent swimming 



