DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG. 79£ 



resemblance to the parent. For some time after they are hatched they hold on to the swimmerets 

 of the mother, and are carried about protected by her abdomen. As they become more active 

 they sometimes leave the mother when she is resting quietly and creep about a short distance off 

 but quickly return to her on the first semblance of danger. A few days later they graduallj 

 forsake her for good. The earlier stages of the embryo Lobster differ considerably from those 

 of the Cray-fish, as described further on. The eggs of the Lobster are probably extruded ir 

 a similar manner, and are attached to the swimmerets by the same viscid substance. Accord 

 ing to some American observers, however, the viscid substance is first extruded from the openiugs 

 of the oviducts and appears as a thick, globular mass, which is brushed back over the swim- 

 merets by the movements of the posterior pair of thoracic legs. The eggs are said to follow 

 immediately afterwards and to be spread about in the same manner. Becoming thus securely 

 attached to the swimmerets, they remain well protected and are kept constantly aerated by the 

 movements of these posterior flaps until the young are hatched. Without further observations 

 we cannot strongly indorse the idea of the viscid material being first excreted; but if such 

 occurs in the beginning, there is still no reason why the eggs may not be also covered with the 

 same substance as they are laid. The eggs are not attached to the smooth surface of the 

 swimmerets of the Lobster, but to the long, slender hairs which project from along their sides. 

 In that way they hang more loosely and can be given freer motion. 



Shedding apteb spawning. — As explained under "shedding," it is probable that, as a 

 rule, the females shed their shells soon after their eggs are hatched, as there is no other way ol 

 ridding themselves of the broken eggshells adhering so firmly to the swimmerets by means of 

 the tough little threads. Lobsters with very ripe spawn have frequently been seen in a condition 

 preparatory to shedding, thus, in a measure, corroborating the above conjecture. According to 

 Prof. S. I. Smith this shedding after spawning is known to occur in some of the Crabs. This 

 peculiarity is also affirmed with regard to the European female Lobster, as described elsewhere. 



Dbyelopment op the young. — The earlier embryonic stages of the Lobster have been 

 studied by Prof. S. I. Smith, of Tale College, whose observations, however, extended over only a 

 limited pferiod. They Vere made at Wood's HoU, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut. 

 Eggs with the embryos well advanced, taken from the females May 2, had the shape of slightly 

 elongate spheroids, about 2.1°"" long and 1.9'°™ across. " One side is rendered very opaque dark 

 green by the unabsorbed yolk mass, while the other shows the eyes as two large black spots, 

 and the red pigment spots on the edge of the carapax, bases of the legs, etc., as irregular lines 

 of pink markings. . . . Fully one-half the embryo is still occupied by the unabsorbed portion 

 of the yolk. . . . The eyes are large, nearly round, and with a central portion of black 

 pigment. . . . The five pairs of cephalo-thoracic legs are all similar and of about the same 

 size, except the main branch of the first pair, which is much larger than that of the others. . . . 

 The subsequent development of the embryo within the egg was not observed." 



In the account of his observations, Professor Smith goes on to describe such of the embryonic 

 stages following hatching as he was able to obtain. From his long and technical descriptions we 

 extract only those portions which can be best understood by the general reader, and which it will 

 be well for the breeder to become acquainted with to aid him in his practical labors. We would 

 suggest here that the breeder himself, or some iutelligent man in his employ, should familiarize 

 himself with the workings of an ordinary low-power microscope, in order that he may follow the 

 development of the young Lobsters under his care, and observe whether they are doing well or 

 die off soon after hatching. Unless such precautions as these are taken, he might continue to 

 work for a long time completely in the dark, and without knowing whether he was making 



