20 



ASTACUS. LOBSTER. Class V. 



are not taken here in pots, as is usual where 

 the water is deeper and more still than it is 

 upon our coast. Our fishermen use a bag- 

 net fixed to an iron hoop, about two feet in 

 diameter, and suspended by three lines like 

 a scale. The bait is commonly fish-guts tied 

 to the bottom and middle of the net. They 

 can take none in the day-time, except when 

 the water is thick and opake ; they are com 

 monly caught in the night, but even then it is 

 not possible to take any when the sea has that 

 luminous appearance which is supposed to 

 proceed from the nereis noctiluca. In sum 

 mer, the Lobsters are found near the shore, 

 and thence to about six fathoms depth of 

 water ; in winter, they are seldom taken in 

 less than twelve or fifteen fathoms. Like 

 other insects, they are much more active and 

 alert in warm weather than in cold. In the 

 water they can run nimbly upon their legs or 

 small claws, and if alarmed can spring tail- 

 foremost, to a surprising distance, as swift as 

 a bird can fly. The fishermen can see them 

 pass about thirty feet, and by the swiftness of 

 their motion, suppose they may go much far- 

 ther. Athenceus remarks this circumstance, 

 and says, that the incurvated Lobsters will 

 spring with the activity of dolphins. Their 



