184 



REPRODUCTION OF LIMBS. 



the sea- water runs freely; that is^ if there is no 

 immediate sale for them. 



Both crabs and lobsters, together with other 

 crustaceans, possess the remarkable faculty of 

 throwing off a limb or two when injured, or even 



THE LOBSTER. 



if they are alarmed, and of reproducing the lost 

 members. This voluntary amputation often takes 

 place even in the huge claws that lobsters carry, 

 and which are so valued at table. Sailors some- 

 times hold out a threat to the fishermen, that 

 they will sail to the lobster-grounds, and there 

 discharge heavy guns ; the effect of which would 

 be to make the lobsters throw off their claws, and 

 thereby render them unsaleable. 



